Air pollution drives elder frailty

A global review of 10 studies across 11 countries finds outdoor particulate pollution raises the risk of frailty in middle and old age. In the UK, an estimated 10–20% of frailty cases may be attributable to outdoor particles, with men in some studies more vulnerable than women. Secondhand smoke boosts frailty risk by ~60%, and solid‑fuel cooking/heating adds additional risk. — This links environmental exposure to functional decline and care needs, making air‑quality and anti‑smoking policy part of aging and health‑system planning.