Nearly 188,000 Dementia Cases in the U.S. Each Year Linked to Air Pollution
Researchers estimate that nearly 188,000 dementia cases in the U.S. each year may be caused by air pollution. The strongest links to a person’s risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease and other kinds of dementia later in life are associated with bad air quality from wildfires and agriculture.
Introduction
A new study published in the journal JAMA Network Open highlights the range of health risks that scientists have long warned are being driven by air pollution. While previous studies have linked overall bad air quality to various health problems, including the risk of developing dementia, this study provides a more detailed analysis of how specific causes of air pollution are more strongly linked to dementia than others.
Methodology
The researchers analyzed data collected from a decades-long survey backed by the National Institutes of Health, which followed up with thousands of older adults around the country every two years about their health. They combined this data with detailed air quality modeling to estimate the exposure levels of different individuals based on their specific locations.
PM 2.5 Air Pollution
The study focused on PM 2.5 air pollution, which refers to very small particles that can be inhaled from the air and are less than 2.5 micrometers wide. These particles can come from various sources, including vehicle exhaust and wildfire smoke, and have been linked to health effects such as coughing, shortness of breath, worsening asthma, and an increased risk of death from heart disease.
Findings
The researchers found a higher risk of dementia even after adjusting for potential factors such as sex, race and ethnicity, educational status, wealth, and whether individuals lived in urban or rural areas. The analysis also took into account other types of air pollution that can be traced back to sources like wildfires and agriculture.
Implications and Recommendations
The study’s authors hope that these findings will drive more targeted interventions to address the dementia risk associated with air pollution. Unlike many other common risk factors for dementia, exposures to air pollution can be modified at the population level, making it a prime target for large-scale prevention efforts.
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?
- Number of dementia cases caused by air pollution
- Air quality index and levels of PM 2.5 air pollution
- Reduction in emissions from sources such as wildfires, agriculture, and vehicle exhaust
Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being | SDG 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 dementia cases caused by air pollution |
| SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities | 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. | Air quality index and levels of PM 2.5 air pollution |
| SDG 13: Climate Action | SDG 13.3: Improve education, awareness-raising, and human and institutional capacity on climate change mitigation, adaptation, impact reduction, and early warning. | Reduction in emissions from sources such as wildfires, agriculture, and vehicle exhaust |
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Source: cbsnews.com
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