Childhood Health and Cognitive Function at Midlife: The Role of Education
Author Information
Author(s): Nicole Hair
Primary Institution: University of South Carolina
Hypothesis
Does better overall health in childhood influence cognitive function at midlife through educational attainment?
Conclusion
Mass vaccination against measles positively impacted educational attainment and cognitive function at midlife, with education mediating the relationship between childhood health and later cognitive function.
Supporting Evidence
- Educational attainment is a strong predictor of dementia among older adults.
- The introduction of the measles vaccine in 1963 reduced infectious disease morbidity.
- The study uses data from the Health and Retirement Study, which includes validated cognitive measures.
Takeaway
Getting vaccinated as a child can help you do better in school and think better when you grow up.
Methodology
The study links early-life contextual data to a longitudinal study of individuals over age 50, comparing outcomes across birth cohorts and states.
Participant Demographics
Older adults in the War Baby, Early Baby Boomer, Mid Baby Boomer, and Late Baby Boomer cohorts born and educated in the United States.
Statistical Information
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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