Neighborhood Polluting Infrastructure and Cognitive Health in Older Adults
2024
Pollution and Brain Health in Older Adults
Sample size: 475
publication
Evidence: moderate
Author Information
Author(s): Ku Vivian, Sol Ketlyne, Zahodne Laura
Primary Institution: University of Michigan
Hypothesis
How does polluting infrastructure relate to cognitive health in older adults?
Conclusion
Polluting infrastructure, such as highways and toxic sites, is linked to poorer cognitive health in older adults.
Supporting Evidence
- Higher proportions of highways were related to poorer episodic memory.
- A trend was found between the presence of at least one toxic site and poorer language.
Takeaway
Living near pollution can make it harder for older people to think and remember things.
Methodology
Participants completed a neuropsychological battery measuring cognition, and their addresses were linked to pollution data.
Participant Demographics
Adults aged 55 and older from the Michigan Cognitive Aging Project.
Statistical Information
P-Value
0.040
Statistical Significance
p=0.040
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
Want to read the original?
Access the complete publication on the publisher's website