# The contribution of air pollution to racial and ethnic disparities in Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias: An application of causal inference methods

> **NIH NIH K99** · UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON · 2024 · $126,387

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY
Racial/ethnic minorities are at a higher risk for age-related cognitive dysfunction compared to non-Hispanic
(NH) Whites. The mechanisms underlying this disparity are not well understood. Exposure to air pollution may
be one important driver of these disparities. Recent epidemiologic studies suggest that increased exposure to
air pollution increases risk of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias (ADRD). Compared to NH Whites,
racial/ethnic minorities are more likely to live in neighborhoods with higher levels of air pollution. No prior
research, however, has quantified the contribution of air pollution as a driver of racial/ethnic disparities in
ADRD. The scientific objective of this research is to evaluate air pollution as a potential driver of racial/ethnic
disparities in ADRD and to understand the potential implications of air quality regulations on ADRD risk. We
will focus this research on disparities between Mexican American and NH White racial/ethnic groups. This
project uses an innovative approach to combine data from two existing cohort studies: The Sacramento Area
Latino Study on Aging and the Ginkgo Evaluation of Memory Study. We will harmonize outcome and exposure
data from the two cohorts and examine whether the effect of air pollution on ADRD risk varies across
racial/ethnic groups. We will also examine whether air pollution drives disparities in ADRD by examining
racial/ethnic differences in air pollution exposure, individual- and neighborhood-level susceptibility to air
pollution. Finally, we will measure the potential impacts of air quality regulations on ADRD risk, using air quality
regulations related to seaports as an example. The proposed research will leverage advanced causal inference
methods including econometric quasi-experimental study designs to carry out the proposed research. This
research plan is complemented by a mentored training plan that builds upon the candidate’s background in
environmental epidemiology and includes coursework, structured mentoring, and experiential learning in the
following areas: 1) racial/ethnic disparities in ADRD, 2) environmental health disparities, 3) harmonization of
cognitive data, 4) air quality regulations, and 5) application of advanced social epidemiology and causal
inference methods. Together, the proposed research and training plan will prepare the candidate for a
successful independent research career dedicated to identifying environmental determinants of healthy aging,
especially in racial/ethnic minority populations.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10821425
- **Project number:** 5K99AG081453-02
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON
- **Principal Investigator:** Sindana Devayani Ilango
- **Activity code:** K99 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $126,387
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2023-04-15 → 2026-02-28

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10821425

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10821425, The contribution of air pollution to racial and ethnic disparities in Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias: An application of causal inference methods (5K99AG081453-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-27 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10821425. Licensed CC0.

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