Impact of Structural Racism on Cognitive Decline
Author Information
Author(s): Ali Talha, Cohen Joshua, Gilani Owais, Needham Belinda, Dokshina Darya
Primary Institution: Tufts University
Hypothesis
Exposure to structural racism increases the risk of subjective cognitive decline among older adults.
Conclusion
Greater exposure to structural racism is linked to higher odds of reporting subjective cognitive decline, particularly among Black individuals.
Supporting Evidence
- Black individuals are twice as likely as White individuals to develop cognitive impairment.
- American Indian Alaska Native, multiracial, and Hispanic individuals had the highest reports of experiencing subjective cognitive decline.
- Black individuals were the most likely to live in states with high levels of structural racism.
Takeaway
This study found that being exposed to more racism can make older people more likely to forget things, especially for Black individuals.
Methodology
Data from the 2015-2016 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System was analyzed using multilevel logistic regression models.
Participant Demographics
Adults aged 45 years and older, with a focus on racial and ethnic groups including Black, Hispanic, American Indian Alaska Native, and multiracial individuals.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
Want to read the original?
Access the complete publication on the publisher's website