In a recent study published in JAMA Network Open , researchers investigated the association between exposure to air pollutants over extended periods and the loss of independence among older adults. Their findings indicate that as air pollutants linked to road traffic, particularly nitrogen dioxide (NO 2 ) and particulate matter (PM 2.5 ), rise in concentration in residential areas, older adults are more likely to experience a loss of independence.
This suggests that reducing pollution exposure could help prolong the ability of older adults to lead independent lives. Study: Source-Specific Air Pollution and Loss of Independence in Older Adults Across the US . Image Credit: khunkornStudio/Shutterstock.
com Functional decline among older populations, often resulting from chronic diseases and subclinical pathologies, leads to significant economic and emotional burdens as they lose their independence and require assistance for day-to-day living. Previous research has established connections between air pollution and chronic illnesses such as cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and respiratory diseases, which impair cognitive and physical functions. Despite these findings, we do not yet know how air pollution impacts the loss of independence.
This study addressed existing research gaps by investigating the associations between long-term exposure to particulate matter (PM 2.5 and PM 10-2.5 ), NO 2 , and ozone (O 3 ) and loss of independence using a nationally representative cohort stu.
