TWO ENVIRONMENTAL INDICATORS: AIR QUALITY AND THE USE OF TIME

2016 The gerontologist  
As people age, their bodies are less able to compensate for the effects of environmental hazards. Air pollution can aggravate chronic heart and lung diseases leading to increased medication use, more visits to health care providers, emergency rooms and even death. In 2014, 19% of the US population lived in a county where measured air pollutants reached concentrations above EPA standards: 57 million persons lived in counties where monitored air was unhealthy at times. We are making progress: the
more » ... percentage of the population 65+ living in counties that experienced poor air quality for any air pollutant declined from 66% in 2000 to 16% in 2014. Recent findings data from the American Time Use Survey captures how older Americans spend their time: sleeping, reading, or caring for others, etc. In 2014, 61% of persons age 55-64 were employed compared with 25% of those age 65-74 and 8% of those 75+.
doi:10.1093/geront/gnw162.2343 fatcat:ord63h7l2rboxbutmxpdeneyse