The influence of air pollution on cognitive function in middle-aged and older population: the role of healthy lifestyle and socioeconomic factors

Abstract Background Air pollution is a potentially modifiable risk factor for cognitive impairment (CoI). Therefore, it is necessary to explore factors that can mitigate the impact of air pollution on the cognitive function of middle-aged and older population (MAOP). Methods To investigate the impact of single and combined exposure to air pollutants on the cognitive abilities of MAOP and to explore the role of healthy lifestyle (HL) and socioeconomic factors, the Generalized Linear Model, Weighted Quantile Sum Regression model, and Restricted Cubic Splines model were jointly applied to explore the impact of air pollutant exposure on the cognitive abilities of the MAOP. Causal mediation effect model and moderation effect models are used to investigate the roles of HL, medical and health level (MHL), and digital economy (DE). Results We found that both single and mixed exposures to air pollutants (excluding O3) lead to a decline in cognitive function in the MAOP. Improvements in HL, MHL, and DE result in increased cognitive scores and reduced CoI risk in the MAOP, and all can mitigate the negative impact of air pollution on cognitive function. Healthy lifestyle has a significant mediating effect in the relationship between air pollutant exposure and cognitive function in the MAOP. Conclusions Increased exposure to air pollutants is associated with a decline in cognitive abilities and an increased CoI risk in the MAOP. Healthy lifestyle, MHL, and DE could alleviate the adverse effects of air pollution on cognitive function in the MAOP.