People Living in Rural Areas May Be at Lower Risk of Alzheimer's Disease

Research published in Health & Place found rural Australians may be at a lower risk of developing Alzheimer's, reports The Conversation . The researchers reviewed data on more than 260,000 adults in New South Wales. Those living in regional or remote areas were 6 percent to 19 percent less likely to be diagnosed with Alzheimer's over 11 years, compared to urban dwellers. Metropolitan residents are generally exposed to more air pollution, which could partly explain why the risk of Alzheimer's was higher among this group. Rural living could enhance environmental factors that may protect against the disease — including less noise, better air quality, and comfortable heat, which contribute to a better night's sleep. However, access to healthcare also is important, as rural inhabitants generally have to travel longer distances and have fewer options than city dwellers, which could skew study results due to lags in Alzheimer's diagnoses. Living near more green space has beneficial cognitive effects for adults, according to other research. Such environments tend to be more plentiful in regional and remote areas.