Objectives:
The relationship between household air pollution exposure and cognitive outcomes of depression cause sleep disorders, suggests that these could play a multiple mediating role in the association between air pollution and cognitive impairment, and the study aims to speculate on this mediation effect.

Method:
The study utilizes data from Longitudinal Aging Study in India (LASI), 2017–2018. We have used a multiple mediating model to understand the relationship between indoor air pollution, cognition mediated through depression and insomnia, while controlling all possible confounders.

Result:
Household air pollution was negatively associated with cognitive health (β= -0.38) in all models, with depression (β= 0.18) and insomnia (β= 0.038) acting as mediators. The results show that unsafe cooking practices, indoor smoke from incense sticks, mosquito coils, and secondhand smoking are associated with lower sleep quality and depression among older adults.

Conclusion:
The findings suggest that household air pollution is associated with cognitive decline, but this relationship is mediated by a person experiencing depression and/or insomnia. The study lays a foundation for future investigations into this nexus to inform and formulate policies to reduce exposure to air pollutants and improve screening and access to mental health services as a public health priority.