Association of improved air quality with lower dementia risk in older women
Xinhui Wang, Diana Younan, Joshua Millstein, Andrew J. Petkus, Erika Garcia, Daniel P. Beavers, Mark A. Espeland, Helena C. Chui, Susan M. Resnick, Margaret Gatz, Joel D. Kaufman, Gregory A. Wellenius, Eric A. Whitsel, JoAnn E. Manson, Stephen R. Rapp, Jiu‐Chiuan Chen
Abstract
Significance Epidemiological studies have demonstrated that improved air quality may improve respiratory health and reduce mortality. Increasing data support late-life exposure to air pollution as a modifiable risk factor for dementia, but whether improved ambient air quality translates to lower dementia risk is unclear. In this study on a geographically diverse cohort of US community-dwelling older women, we found that long-term improvement in ambient air quality in late life was associated with reduced dementia risk. The associations did not significantly differ by age, education, geographic region, Apolipoprotein E e4 genotypes, or cardiovascular risk factors. These findings strengthen the causal association between late-life exposure to air pollution and dementia risk.