Socioeconomic and Geographic Disparities in Cognition and Dementia
Author Information
Author(s): Garcia Marc, Kemp Blakelee, Tarraf Wassim
Primary Institution: Syracuse University
Hypothesis
How are state policy contexts and changes in these contexts associated with cognitive and functional health?
Conclusion
Higher levels of political liberalism and certain health policies are associated with lower levels of perceived cognitive decline and functional limitations.
Supporting Evidence
- There is considerable state-level variation in cognitive and functional limitations.
- Higher political liberalism and Medicaid generosity are linked to better cognitive health.
- Changes in state policies over time show inconsistent links to cognitive impairment outcomes.
Takeaway
Different states have different rules that can affect how well older people think and function, and some rules help more than others.
Methodology
The study used BRFSS data linked to state policy data to examine the relationship between political ideology, Medicaid generosity, and health behavior policies with cognitive decline and functional limitations.
Limitations
The relationship between changes in political ideology and policy measures and impairment outcomes was inconsistent.
Participant Demographics
Individuals aged 45 years and older.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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