Residential blue space, cognitive function, and the role of air pollution in middle-aged and older adults: A cross-sectional study based on UK biobank

This study examines the relationship between residential exposure to blue spaces (e.g., rivers, lakes, and seas) and cognitive function in middle-aged and older adults in the United Kingdom, with a specific focus on the mediating effects of air pollution, particularly nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) and fine...

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Main Authors: Kaitai Yang, Fabin Lin, Xuefei Wang, Huaicheng Wang, Yisen Shi, Lina Chen, Yanhong Weng, Xuanjie Chen, Yuqi Zeng, Yinqing Wang, Guoen Cai
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2024-12-01
Series:Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety
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Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0147651324014313
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author Kaitai Yang
Fabin Lin
Xuefei Wang
Huaicheng Wang
Yisen Shi
Lina Chen
Yanhong Weng
Xuanjie Chen
Yuqi Zeng
Yinqing Wang
Guoen Cai
author_facet Kaitai Yang
Fabin Lin
Xuefei Wang
Huaicheng Wang
Yisen Shi
Lina Chen
Yanhong Weng
Xuanjie Chen
Yuqi Zeng
Yinqing Wang
Guoen Cai
author_sort Kaitai Yang
collection DOAJ
description This study examines the relationship between residential exposure to blue spaces (e.g., rivers, lakes, and seas) and cognitive function in middle-aged and older adults in the United Kingdom, with a specific focus on the mediating effects of air pollution, particularly nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) and fine particulate matter (PM2.5). Cognitive function was assessed using touch screens at UK Biobank Assessment Centre, while residential blue space exposure within a 300-meter radius was estimated from land-use data. Annual average levels of air pollution, specifically NO₂ and PM2.5, were calculated through a land-use regression model. Logistic regression models analyzed the association between blue space exposure and cognitive function, and restricted cubic splines were employed to assess potential nonlinear relationships. Causal mediation analysis quantified the indirect effects of air pollution on this relationship. The study included 35,669 participants, revealing that high blue space exposure (≥75 %) was associated with a 13.2 % lower risk of cognitive impairment compared to those with low exposure (<25 %). Notably, NO₂ and PM2.5 significantly mediated this association, with indirect effects estimated at 9.5 % and 15.85 %, respectively. These findings indicate that increased residential exposure to blue spaces is linked to a reduced risk of cognitive impairment, highlighting the protective role of blue environments in the context of air pollution. This research underscores the importance of environmentally sensitive urban planning and policies to promote public health and cognitive well-being among vulnerable populations.
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spelling doaj-art-2d8bd6163edb4ac4b314ec680d67f8a02025-08-20T02:37:28ZengElsevierEcotoxicology and Environmental Safety0147-65132024-12-0128811735510.1016/j.ecoenv.2024.117355Residential blue space, cognitive function, and the role of air pollution in middle-aged and older adults: A cross-sectional study based on UK biobankKaitai Yang0Fabin Lin1Xuefei Wang2Huaicheng Wang3Yisen Shi4Lina Chen5Yanhong Weng6Xuanjie Chen7Yuqi Zeng8Yinqing Wang9Guoen Cai10Department of Neurology, Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, Fuzhou 350001, China; Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou 350001, ChinaDepartment of Neurosurgery, Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, Fuzhou 350001, ChinaDepartment of Neurology, Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, Fuzhou 350001, China; Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou 350001, ChinaDepartment of Neurology, Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, Fuzhou 350001, China; Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou 350001, ChinaDepartment of Neurology, Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, Fuzhou 350001, China; Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou 350001, ChinaDepartment of Neurology, Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, Fuzhou 350001, China; Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou 350001, ChinaDepartment of Neurology, Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, Fuzhou 350001, China; Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou 350001, ChinaDepartment of Neurology, Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, Fuzhou 350001, China; Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou 350001, ChinaDepartment of Neurology, Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, Fuzhou 350001, China; Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou 350001, China; Correspondence to: NO.29, Xinquan Road, Fuzhou City, Fujian Province, China.Department of Neurology, Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, Fuzhou 350001, China; Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou 350001, China; Correspondence to: NO.29, Xinquan Road, Fuzhou City, Fujian Province, China.Department of Neurology, Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, Fuzhou 350001, China; Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou 350001, China; Correspondence to: NO.29, Xinquan Road, Fuzhou City, Fujian Province, China.This study examines the relationship between residential exposure to blue spaces (e.g., rivers, lakes, and seas) and cognitive function in middle-aged and older adults in the United Kingdom, with a specific focus on the mediating effects of air pollution, particularly nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) and fine particulate matter (PM2.5). Cognitive function was assessed using touch screens at UK Biobank Assessment Centre, while residential blue space exposure within a 300-meter radius was estimated from land-use data. Annual average levels of air pollution, specifically NO₂ and PM2.5, were calculated through a land-use regression model. Logistic regression models analyzed the association between blue space exposure and cognitive function, and restricted cubic splines were employed to assess potential nonlinear relationships. Causal mediation analysis quantified the indirect effects of air pollution on this relationship. The study included 35,669 participants, revealing that high blue space exposure (≥75 %) was associated with a 13.2 % lower risk of cognitive impairment compared to those with low exposure (<25 %). Notably, NO₂ and PM2.5 significantly mediated this association, with indirect effects estimated at 9.5 % and 15.85 %, respectively. These findings indicate that increased residential exposure to blue spaces is linked to a reduced risk of cognitive impairment, highlighting the protective role of blue environments in the context of air pollution. This research underscores the importance of environmentally sensitive urban planning and policies to promote public health and cognitive well-being among vulnerable populations.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0147651324014313Logistic regression modelsRestricted cubic splineCasual mediation analysisBlue spaceAir pollution
spellingShingle Kaitai Yang
Fabin Lin
Xuefei Wang
Huaicheng Wang
Yisen Shi
Lina Chen
Yanhong Weng
Xuanjie Chen
Yuqi Zeng
Yinqing Wang
Guoen Cai
Residential blue space, cognitive function, and the role of air pollution in middle-aged and older adults: A cross-sectional study based on UK biobank
Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety
Logistic regression models
Restricted cubic spline
Casual mediation analysis
Blue space
Air pollution
title Residential blue space, cognitive function, and the role of air pollution in middle-aged and older adults: A cross-sectional study based on UK biobank
title_full Residential blue space, cognitive function, and the role of air pollution in middle-aged and older adults: A cross-sectional study based on UK biobank
title_fullStr Residential blue space, cognitive function, and the role of air pollution in middle-aged and older adults: A cross-sectional study based on UK biobank
title_full_unstemmed Residential blue space, cognitive function, and the role of air pollution in middle-aged and older adults: A cross-sectional study based on UK biobank
title_short Residential blue space, cognitive function, and the role of air pollution in middle-aged and older adults: A cross-sectional study based on UK biobank
title_sort residential blue space cognitive function and the role of air pollution in middle aged and older adults a cross sectional study based on uk biobank
topic Logistic regression models
Restricted cubic spline
Casual mediation analysis
Blue space
Air pollution
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0147651324014313
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