Researchers wanted to understand how the places around us—like parks, grocery stores, and libraries—might help keep our brains healthy as we age. They talked to 22 people of different ages, races, and backgrounds living in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area about which neighborhood spots helped them stay active, eat well, think clearly, and spend time with others. They found ten types of places that matter most for brain health: parks, recreation centers, restaurants, grocery stores, shops, community groups, religious organizations, arts venues, libraries, and schools. The study suggests that neighborhoods designed with these resources might help prevent memory problems and dementia, especially if everyone has fair access to them.
The Quick Take
- What they studied: How neighborhood features and community spaces help people of all ages maintain healthy brains and prevent memory loss
- Who participated: 22 adults ranging from age 23 to 75 (average age 42) living in Minneapolis-St. Paul with diverse racial, ethnic, and gender backgrounds
- Key finding: Ten specific neighborhood resources—including parks, grocery stores, libraries, and community centers—appear to support brain-healthy behaviors like exercise, good eating, social connection, and mental stimulation across different life stages
- What it means for you: Where you live may influence your brain health risk. Communities that provide easy access to parks, healthy food options, social groups, and learning opportunities may help protect memory and thinking skills throughout your life. This suggests city planners should prioritize these resources in all neighborhoods, especially those with fewer resources today.
The Research Details
This study used a qualitative research approach, which means researchers focused on understanding people’s experiences and perspectives rather than collecting large amounts of numerical data. The team conducted interviews with 22 adults in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area between August 2023 and March 2024. Some interviews happened at specific locations (stationary interviews), while others took place while walking through neighborhoods (mobile interviews), allowing researchers to see exactly what people were talking about.
The researchers used a method called reflexive thematic analysis, which is a careful way of reading through interview notes to find common themes and patterns in what people said. They looked for which neighborhood places and services people mentioned as helpful for staying physically active, eating healthy, keeping their minds sharp, and spending time with others. This approach captures real-world experiences rather than testing a specific hypothesis.
Understanding how neighborhoods influence brain health is important because previous research shows that dementia rates vary significantly by geographic location, suggesting the environment plays a role. However, most studies focus on older adults, leaving a gap in understanding how neighborhoods affect brain health in younger and middle-aged people. This qualitative approach allows researchers to hear directly from people about which specific neighborhood features matter most, providing insights that could guide community planning and public health efforts.
This is a small, focused study (22 participants) designed to explore experiences in depth rather than prove cause-and-effect relationships. The diverse participant group (different ages, races, ethnicities, and genders) strengthens the findings by capturing varied perspectives. However, the small sample size and focus on one geographic area (Minneapolis-St. Paul) means results may not apply everywhere. This study is best viewed as exploratory research that identifies important neighborhood factors worth studying further with larger groups.
What the Results Show
The research identified ten categories of neighborhood resources that support cognitive health behaviors: (1) parks and walking paths that encourage physical activity, (2) recreation centers offering fitness and social opportunities, (3) restaurants and eateries, (4) grocery stores and food markets supporting healthy eating, (5) retail stores, (6) civic and social organizations for community connection, (7) religious organizations providing social and spiritual engagement, (8) arts and cultural sites for mental stimulation, (9) libraries for learning and cognitive activity, and (10) educational sites.
Importantly, the study found that which resources mattered most varied depending on people’s age, life stage, race, ethnicity, gender, and economic situation. For example, younger adults might prioritize different neighborhood features than older adults, and people with different cultural backgrounds valued different community spaces. This means there’s no one-size-fits-all approach to brain-healthy neighborhoods.
The research suggests that neighborhoods supporting cognitive health aren’t just about having these resources available—they need to be accessible, welcoming, and relevant to the people who live there. The study emphasizes that creating truly brain-healthy communities requires understanding and respecting the diverse needs of different populations.
The study revealed that people’s use of neighborhood resources was deeply connected to their personal circumstances and identities. For instance, some people faced barriers to accessing certain resources due to cost, transportation, safety concerns, or cultural fit. The research also highlighted that cognitive health behaviors—staying active, eating well, thinking, and socializing—are interconnected and supported by the same neighborhood features. A park, for example, supports physical activity, social connection, and mental health all at once.
Previous research has shown that neighborhood characteristics influence health outcomes, but most studies focused on older adults and physical health rather than brain health across all ages. This study extends that work by examining how neighborhoods support cognitive health specifically and by including younger and middle-aged adults. It aligns with growing evidence that dementia prevention should start early in life and that environmental factors play an important role alongside individual behaviors.
This is a small qualitative study with only 22 participants, so findings describe patterns in these individuals’ experiences rather than proving that neighborhood features cause better brain health. The study was conducted in one geographic area (Minneapolis-St. Paul), so results may differ in other regions with different neighborhood structures, climates, or populations. The research is exploratory and descriptive rather than testing specific cause-and-effect relationships. Additionally, because this is qualitative research, it cannot measure how much each neighborhood feature reduces dementia risk or provide specific statistics about brain health outcomes.
The Bottom Line
Based on this research, community leaders and city planners should prioritize creating neighborhoods with diverse, accessible resources including parks, recreation centers, grocery stores, libraries, and community gathering spaces. Individuals can benefit by exploring and using these neighborhood resources available to them. However, these findings suggest supporting brain health requires both individual action and community-level changes to ensure fair access for everyone. Confidence level: Moderate—this exploratory study provides valuable insights but needs larger studies to confirm specific benefits.
Everyone should care about this research, especially: (1) people concerned about dementia prevention at any age, (2) community planners and city officials deciding where to invest resources, (3) public health professionals designing prevention programs, (4) people living in neighborhoods with limited resources who deserve equitable access to brain-healthy amenities. This research is less about individual medical treatment and more about creating fair, healthy communities for everyone.
Brain health is built over years and decades, not weeks or months. Research suggests that consistent engagement with neighborhood resources supporting physical activity, healthy eating, social connection, and mental stimulation throughout adulthood may help reduce dementia risk in later years. Benefits likely accumulate gradually, making long-term, sustained engagement more important than short-term changes.
Want to Apply This Research?
- Track weekly visits to neighborhood resources across the ten categories: parks/paths, recreation centers, restaurants, grocery stores, retail, civic groups, religious organizations, arts/cultural sites, libraries, and educational sites. Log the type of activity (exercise, socializing, learning, healthy eating) and how you felt afterward.
- Use the app to discover and map neighborhood resources near you that you haven’t tried yet. Set a goal to visit one new resource each week, starting with categories most relevant to your interests. For example, if you want more social connection, explore civic organizations or recreation centers; if you want mental stimulation, try libraries or arts venues.
- Create a monthly dashboard showing your engagement with different neighborhood resource categories. Track patterns in which resources you use most, which activities you enjoy, and how your mood and energy change with different types of engagement. Use this data to identify gaps and set personalized goals for balanced cognitive health behaviors across all categories.
This research is exploratory and qualitative in nature, based on interviews with 22 people in one geographic area. It does not prove that neighborhood features prevent dementia or guarantee brain health outcomes. The findings suggest associations and patterns rather than cause-and-effect relationships. This information is not a substitute for medical advice. If you have concerns about memory loss or cognitive changes, consult a healthcare provider. Community and neighborhood changes take time and require coordination among many stakeholders. Individual actions should be combined with broader community efforts to create truly brain-healthy environments.