Rural and Urban Differences in Cognitive Decline
Author Information
Author(s): Wong Roger, Mansour Amer
Primary Institution: State University of New York Upstate Medical University
Hypothesis
How does rural-urban residence and education affect subjective cognitive decline among middle-aged and older adults in the US?
Conclusion
Rural residents have higher odds of experiencing subjective cognitive decline compared to urban residents, and education does not significantly buffer this relationship.
Supporting Evidence
- SCD was significantly more common among rural residents (12.0%) compared to urban residents (10.7%).
- Rural residents had a 16% higher odds of SCD compared to urban residents after adjusting for covariates.
- Education level showed a negative relationship with SCD, but it was not statistically significant.
Takeaway
People living in rural areas are more likely to feel confused or forgetful than those in cities, and having more education doesn't seem to help.
Methodology
Analyzed 2022 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System data focusing on adults aged 45 and older.
Limitations
The study does not explore the mechanisms behind higher SCD in rural residents.
Participant Demographics
U.S. adults aged 45 years and older.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<.001
Confidence Interval
95% CI=1.01-1.33
Statistical Significance
p<0.001
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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