Abstract
Cognitive health in ageing populations presents a critical public health challenge, particularly in regions such as India with high ambient air pollution. Grounded in the Stress Process Model, this study examines the interplay between outdoor air pollution—an environmental stressor—and physical activity (PA), a resilience resource, in shaping cognitive health among older Indian adults. Using the quantitative multilevel approach, the analysis utilises nationally representative data from the Longitudinal Ageing Study in India (LASI Wave 1), involving 31,902 adults aged ≥60. Cognitive function was assessed using composite scores, PA was self-reported, and annual PM2.5 exposure was estimated using satellite-derived, state-level data. Multilevel regression analyses, adjusted for sociodemographic and health covariates at individual and household levels, tested interactions between PM2.5 and PA. Results indicate that physically active older adults demonstrated significantly higher cognitive scores (β=2.54, p<0.001); however, PM2.5 exposure attenuated this benefit through a negative interaction (β=−0.13, p<0.001). Notably, 32.9% of participants faced high PM2.5 exposure despite being physically active, while only 16.2% experienced high pollution combined with inactivity. A synergistic antagonism (Synergy Index=0.72; 95%CI:0.64–0.81) further indicated that pollution diminished PA’s protective effects on cognition. Although the cross-sectional design limits causal inference, the findings underscore the combined influence of environmental and behavioural factors on cognitive ageing. Promoting cognitive health in later life requires a dual strategy—integrating physical activity promotion with air quality improvements—particularly in low- and middle-income countries such as India. This study supports the development of intersectoral policies addressing the medical, environmental, and behavioural determinants of healthy ageing.
Presenters
Sayani DasStudent, Postdoctoral Fellow, Bar-Ilan University, Tel-Aviv, Israel Liat Ayalon
Professor, School of Social Work, Bar-Ilan Unversity, Tel-Aviv, Israel
Details
Presentation Type
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session
Theme
Medical Perspectives on Aging, Health, Wellness
KEYWORDS
Air pollution, Cognition, Health, India, Physical Wellbeing
