A new study has found that taxi and ambulance drivers may be at lower risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease compared to other professions. Researchers from Harvard Medical School analyzed the death rates of nearly 9 million people who died in the US between 2020 and 2022, with a focus on bus drivers, airplane pilots, and ship captains.
The study found that taxi and ambulance drivers had significantly lower dementia-related deaths than their counterparts. This is likely due to the high level of spatial memory and navigation required for these jobs, which may offer protection against Alzheimer’s disease.
However, the researchers emphasized that no definitive conclusions can be drawn from the study, as it does not prove causality. Other factors such as age at death, sex, race, ethnicity, and educational level are also crucial to consider.
The cognitive training required for these jobs is believed by some to help curb dementia risk. Angela Bradshaw of Alzheimer Europe pointed to studies showing that cognitive stimulation can be beneficial in reducing the risk of dementia.
To further investigate this link, more research is needed, taking into account factors such as genetics and brain scans to determine whether the mental load associated with taxi and ambulance driving can actually protect against dementia.
Source: https://www.euronews.com/health/2024/12/18/scientists-believe-people-who-work-these-two-jobs-have-a-lower-risk-of-alzheimers