The Long Arm of Childhood: A Study of Life Course Trajectories of Cognitive Function in Six Low and Middle-Income Countries

Y Selvamani

Attaining healthy ageing is a crucial public policy goal across the globe. Better cognitive function in old age is a protective factor for health and overall well-being. In this study, we examine the impact of life course socioeconomic status, height on cognitive function in later life. Cross-country analysis was conducted using the WHO’s Study on global AGEing and adult health (SAGE) data for six countries. Regression models were estimated to predict the association. Further, Relative Index of Inequality (RII) was used to assess the inequality in cognition across subgroups. Results showed considerable variations in cognitive abilities across countries. Cognitive function showed a strong association with education and wealth quintile and further showed robust association with parental education and employment. Taller individuals scored well in cognitive tests; this association was significant independent of socioeconomic status and grip strength. RII in cognitive ability is evident across life course SES characteristics and height.

See paper

 Presented in Session 39. Cognitive Aging Research in Novel Contexts