Environmental and Geo-Social Factors in Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementia Development

Gabrielle Husted, University Of California, Santa Barbara, Department Of Geogrpahy
Susan Cassels, University Of California, Santa Barbara
Liz Ackert, University of California, Santa Barbara
Barbara Bendlin, University of Wisconsin, Madison

Background: As the world experiences a rapid demographic shift toward longer lifespans, the proportion of older adults is rising, as are the cases of Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias (ADRD). This demographic aging trend is concurrent with ongoing industrialization and increased pollution. Environmental toxicants and neighborhood resources encompass modifiable risk factors for healthy aging. Objective: This work investigates the connection between plastics and ADRD, a topic that has only recently gained attention in the broader research community. The approach of this paper bridges multiple disciplines (Geography, Neuroscience, Nursing) and methodologies (spatial statistics, biomarker biochemical analysis, neighborhood effects) to create a nuanced understanding of the public-scale modifiable risk factors that impact ADRD risk. Methods: Geocoded socio-demographic data captured by the Panel Study of Income Dynamics (PSID) is paired with geocoded data from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Toxic Release Inventory (TRI), years 2017-2021, multi-level models analyze ADRD risk in association with phthalate industry density and proximity, and demographic and social characteristics, which serve as a proxy for resources to mitigate the harms of exposure to toxic industries. Results: Individuals with lower socioeconomic status, reduced access to resources, and greater exposure to plastics in their communities have higher prevalence of ADRD risk.

Keywords: Health and Morbidity, Neighbourhood/contextual effect analysis, Population Ageing, Population, Environment, and Climate Change

See extended abstract.