Green neighborhoods may ease chronic stress during pregnancy, Israeli study finds

A Bar-Ilan University study found that pregnant women living in greener neighborhoods may experience lower levels of chronic stress. The research, published in Environmental Epidemiology, analyzed hair samples from 385 pregnant women in Petach Tikvah, measuring cortisol and cortisone levels, which reflect long-term stress. Greater exposure to vegetation around the home during the second trimester was associated with significantly lower concentrations of these stress hormones. Sohini Bhattacharya, a doctoral candidate, stated, "Our findings suggest that exposure to greenery around the home is associated with reduced chronic stress hormones during pregnancy." The study utilized satellite imagery and Google Street View to assess greenery, with grass showing a particularly strong association with reduced stress hormones. Professor Keren Agay-Shay noted, "Our findings support efforts to preserve and expand green spaces and greenness in residential neighborhoods," suggesting implications for urban planning to improve public health.