Protocol for a scoping review of climate change and the impact on health of people living with dementia

Abstract

Abstract Introduction: Environmental factors resulting from climate change and air pollution are risk factors for many chronic conditions including dementia. Although research has shown the impacts of air pollution on cognitive status, less is known about the association between climate change and specific health-related outcomes of older people living with dementia. In response to IPCC call, we will outline a scoping review protocol to systematically review the published literature regarding the effects of climate change including temperature and weather variability on health outcomes in older adults living with dementia. Methods and analysis: This scoping review will be guided by the framework proposed by Arksey and O’Malley. Electronic search (Medline, Embase, PsycINFO, Scopus, Web of Science) using relevant subject headings and synonyms for 2 concepts (older people with dementia, weather/ climate change) will be conducted. No publication date or other restrictions will be applied to the search strategy. No language restriction will be used aiming to understand the impact of non-English studies in the literature. Eligible studies must include older adults (65+years) with dementia living in the community and investigate the impacts of climate change and/or weather on their health-related quality of life, morbidity, falls, use of health resources and mortality. Two independent reviewers will screen abstracts and select those for a full-text review, perform these reviews, select articles for retention, and extract data from them in a standardized manner. This data will then be synthesized and interpreted. OSF registration: DOI: 10.17605/OSF.IO/YRFM8.