Environmental Exposures and Aging Outcomes
Author Information
Author(s): Casey Joan, Shearston Jenni, Mobley Taylor, Rojas-Saunero L Paloma, Zhou Juliet, Mayeda Elizabeth Rose
Primary Institution: University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, United States
Hypothesis
Is early-life exposure to poor air quality related to late-life brain health among non-Hispanic Black and White participants?
Conclusion
Identifying modifiable risk factors for Alzheimer's disease could help protect cognitive health in the aging US population.
Supporting Evidence
- Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias incidence is 40–100% higher among Black compared to White Americans.
- Preliminary analyses indicate that Black participants had lower power plant emissions exposures but higher PM2.5 and traffic-related air pollution exposures in 1940.
Takeaway
This study looks at how bad air quality when you are young might affect your brain health when you are older, especially for Black and White people.
Methodology
The study uses multi-level survival analyses to estimate associations between childhood environmental exposures and late-life dementia.
Participant Demographics
Non-Hispanic Black and White Health and Retirement Study participants.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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