Reducing Airborne Particulates May Decrease Dementia Risk, NIH-Funded Study Suggests
News Release
Monday, August 14, 2023
Introduction
A study funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and published in JAMA Internal Medicine suggests that long-term exposure to fine particulate matter (PM2.5) air pollution, particularly from agriculture and open fires, is linked to higher rates of incident dementia in a population over time. The findings highlight the importance of reducing exposure to airborne particulates to decrease the risk of dementia.
The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
This study aligns with several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including:
- Goal 3: Good Health and Well-being
- Goal 7: Affordable and Clean Energy
- Goal 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
- Goal 13: Climate Action
- Goal 15: Life on Land
Study Details
The study utilized data from the Health and Retirement Study (HRS), a nationally representative cohort of older adults in the United States. The researchers analyzed information from 27,857 adults aged 50 years and older who were enrolled in the HRS. Participants were interviewed once every two years about various factors related to healthy aging, including cognition, overall health, and health behaviors.
The research team collected air quality measurements from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and other studies, along with more than 300 geographic variables such as transportation, land cover and use, population density, emission sources, and vegetation. These data were used to estimate the total PM2.5 at participants’ residential addresses by applying a prediction model. The model accounted for PM2.5 attributable to nine emission sources, including agriculture, road traffic, non-road traffic, coal combustion for energy production, other energy production, coal combustion for industry, other industry, open fires, and windblown dust.
Key Findings
- 15% of older adults developed incident dementia during the average follow-up period of 10 years.
- Participants with incident dementia were more likely to be non-white, have less formal education, less wealth, and higher surrounding PM2.5 levels at their address.
- Agriculture and open fires had the strongest associations with air pollution and incident dementia.
- Road traffic, non-road traffic, and coal combustion for energy production and industry were also associated with incident dementia.
Implications
The study’s findings contribute to the growing body of evidence linking air pollution to dementia risk. The research suggests that interventions aimed at reducing air pollution, particularly from key emission sources such as agriculture and open fires, may decrease the lifelong risk of developing dementia. These findings have important implications for informing health policies and decisions.
NIH’s Role in Addressing Dementia Risk
The National Institute on Aging (NIA), part of NIH, leads the systematic planning, development, and implementation of research milestones to effectively treat and prevent Alzheimer’s and related dementias. This study aligns with Milestone 1.R, which focuses on supporting research on the role of pollution and climate change in dementia risk.
Conclusion
The NIH-funded study highlights the association between long-term exposure to fine particulate matter air pollution and incident dementia. By reducing exposure to airborne particulates, particularly from agriculture and open fires, the risk of developing dementia may be decreased. These findings underscore the importance of addressing air pollution as a critical health risk and align with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) related to health, clean energy, sustainable cities, climate action, and life on land.
Reference
Zhang B, et al. Comparison of Particulate Air Pollution From Different Emission Sources and Incident Dementia in the US. JAMA Intern Med. 2023; doi: 10.1001/jamainternmed.2023.3300. Epub 2023 Aug 14.
About the National Institute on Aging (NIA)
The National Institute on Aging (NIA) leads the U.S. federal government’s efforts to conduct and support research on aging, health, and well-being in older people. For more information about age-related cognitive change and neurodegenerative diseases, visit NIA’s Alzheimer’s and related Dementias Education and Referral (ADEAR) Center website. Stay connected with NIA by visiting their main website in English and Spanish.
About the National Institutes of Health (NIH)
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) is the primary federal agency responsible for conducting and supporting medical research. NIH investigates the causes, treatments, and cures for both common and rare diseases. For more information about NIH and its programs, visit their official website.
NIH…Turning Discovery Into Health®
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?
- SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
- SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
- SDG 13: Climate Action
2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?
- SDG 3.9: By 2030, substantially reduce the number of deaths and illnesses from hazardous chemicals and air, water, and soil pollution and contamination.
- SDG 11.6: By 2030, reduce the adverse per capita environmental impact of cities, including by paying special attention to air quality and municipal and other waste management.
- SDG 13.3: Improve education, awareness-raising, and human and institutional capacity on climate change mitigation, adaptation, impact reduction, and early warning.
3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?
- Indicator for SDG 3.9: Number of deaths and illnesses attributed to air pollution (fine particulate matter).
- Indicator for SDG 11.6: Average concentration of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) in cities.
- Indicator for SDG 13.3: Level of awareness and understanding of the link between air pollution and dementia among the general population.
Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being | 3.9: By 2030, substantially reduce the number of deaths and illnesses from hazardous chemicals and air, water, and soil pollution and contamination. | Number of deaths and illnesses attributed to air pollution (fine particulate matter). |
| SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities | 11.6: By 2030, reduce the adverse per capita environmental impact of cities, including by paying special attention to air quality and municipal and other waste management. | Average concentration of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) in cities. |
| SDG 13: Climate Action | 13.3: Improve education, awareness-raising, and human and institutional capacity on climate change mitigation, adaptation, impact reduction, and early warning. | Level of awareness and understanding of the link between air pollution and dementia among the general population. |
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Source: nih.gov
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