Study: Air Pollution Linked to Dementia, Strokes

Facts

• A recent large-scale UK study has established an increasing connection between air pollution and poor brain health, dementia, and elevated risk of stroke.¹
• Stroke ranks second in the world in terms of causes of mortality, accounting for roughly 11% of deaths. 50M people are currently living with dementia, and by 2050, that number is expected to reach 150M. The study suggests that such health risks may not be simply age-related, as previously thought. ¹
• The study analyzed about 413K people, from ages 40 to 69 with no history of dementia, cancer, or stroke, who were enrolled in the UK Biobank initiative. After accounting for other risk factors, the researchers observed associations between long-term air pollution exposure and dementia, as well as dementia following a stroke.¹
• The researchers monitored the group for 10.9 years, during which time 6,484 (1.6%) were diagnosed with stroke, 3,813 (0.9%) with dementia, and 376 with both.²
• They also found that air pollution even increased the likelihood of getting dementia at concentrations lower than the UK's, EU's, and US' existing air quality standards.³
• This comes amid another study out of the University of Manchester investigating how air contaminants affect brain health. There, Professor Gordon McFiggans and his team exposed people over 50 years old with a history of dementia to various types of exhaust and fumes. His goal is to 'demonstrate to policymakers that the health effects of different sources of pollution can be quantified.'¹

Sources: ¹Guardian, ²News and ³The Lancet.

Narratives

• Narrative A, as provided by Guardian. It should come as no surprise that improving air quality is beneficial to our health. The World Health Organization (WHO) monitors global air quality standards throughout the world. Unfortunately, many countries exceed the WHO's standards for air quality. Recent studies suggest a correlation between improved air quality and a lower risk of neurological illnesses. These are hard facts that must be taken into account when making environmental and health policies.
• Narrative B, as provided by CNN. While this study is a step in the right direction, there's currently no consensus on a single cause of dementia. There are, however, preventative steps that can be taken to mitigate neurodegenerative diseases, including maintaining good mental health, engaging in physical and social activities, and eating a balanced diet. We must be careful not to dismiss the importance of these activities.

Predictions