Inequality in old age cognition across the world

in PAA Server (2016)

Economic recessions and cognitive function in older age. Evidence from SHARE and HRS

Presentation (2015, December)

Is income equality also better for your cognitive health? A multilevel analysis on trajectories of cognitive function at older ages.

Scientific Conference (2015, November)

Social epidemiology

in Wright, James D. (Ed.) International Encyclopedia of the Social and Behavioral Sciences (2015)

The search of social determinants of health and disease has advanced substantially over the last decade. We present recent theoretical advancements, methodological approaches, and a selection of empirical ... [more ▼]

The search of social determinants of health and disease has advanced substantially over the last decade. We present recent theoretical advancements, methodological approaches, and a selection of empirical evidence for the three main research strands: First, social inequalities can explain health differences. Here, we first focus on hierarchic social stratification with regard to socioeconomic and social class differences influencing health, then we extend the view towards non-hierarchic social stratification with regard to ethno-cultural differences, lifestyle, and cognitive and non-cognitive abilities. We shortly mention social relations and social network as determinants of health. Last, we use the concept of social times to distinguish age, period, and cohort effects in population health. After presenting evidence on contextual social determinants of health, we close with methodological challenges, social policy implications, and translation to practice. [less ▲]

Socioeconomic hierarchy and health gradient in Europe: The role of income inequality and of social origins

in International Journal for Equity in Health (2015), 14(132), 1-12

Introduction. Health inequalities reflect multidimensional inequality (income, education, and other indicators of socioeconomic position) and vary across countries and welfare regimes. To which extent ... [more ▼]

Introduction. Health inequalities reflect multidimensional inequality (income, education, and other indicators of socioeconomic position) and vary across countries and welfare regimes. To which extent there is intergenerational transmission of health via parental socioeconomic status has rarely been investigated in comparative perspective. The study sought to explore if different measures of stratification produce the same health gradient and to which extent health gradients of income and of social origins vary with level of living and income inequality. Method. A total of 299,770 observations were available from 18 countries assessed in EU-SILC 2005 and 2011 data, which contain information on social origins. Income inequality (Gini) and level of living were calculated from EU-SILC. Logit rank transformation provided normalized inequalities and distributions of income and social origins up to the extremes of the distribution and was used to investigate net comparable health gradients in detail. Multilevel random-slope models were run to post-estimate best linear unbiased predictors (BLUPs) and related standard deviations of residual intercepts (median health) and slopes (income-health gradients) per country and survey year. Results. Health gradients varied across different measures of stratification, with origins and income producing significant slopes after controls. Income inequality was associated with worse average health, but income inequality and steepness of the health gradient were only marginally associated. Discussion. Linear health gradients suggest gains in health per rank of income and of origins even at the very extremes of the distribution. Intergenerational transmission of status gains in importance in countries with higher income inequality. Countries differ in the association of income inequality and income-related health gradient, and low income inequality may mask health problems of vulnerable individuals with low status. Not only income inequality, but other country characteristics such as familial orientation play a considerable role in explaining steepness of the health gradient. [less ▲]

Recessions, unemployment and the brain: Do individual and aggregate economic shocks prior to retirement leave a cognitive ‘scar’?

Scientific Conference (2015)

Based on a linkage of state unemployment rates and individual-level data from the Health and Retirement Study (HRS), we assess whether exposure to unfavorable macroeconomic conditions in the years leading ... [more ▼]

Based on a linkage of state unemployment rates and individual-level data from the Health and Retirement Study (HRS), we assess whether exposure to unfavorable macroeconomic conditions in the years leading up to retirement affect both levels as well as changes in cognitive functioning after retirement. Our results suggest that recessions experienced in the years prior to retirement can have substantial negative effects on cognitive function at age 65 and beyond. Our results are robust to various specifications and suggest that these effects are particularly strong for older workers with unstable careers who are hit by a recession, while they are similar for individuals from different race or educational level. [less ▲]

Income inequality and health: Age-related health gains for those better-off, in more equal societies

in Gerontologist (2015), 55(Suppl 2), 459-460

Health and cognition in old age: From biomedical and life course factors to policy and practice

Book published by Springer (2014)

- Covers qualitative and quantitative studies from broad range of disciplines - Covers all important layers on which healthy and active aging are affected and can be influenced​ - Addresses health ... [more ▼]

- Covers qualitative and quantitative studies from broad range of disciplines - Covers all important layers on which healthy and active aging are affected and can be influenced​ - Addresses health, cognition, and quality of life in older people In recent years, the aim of research on aging has shifted from prolonging life to fostering healthy and cognitively robust old age. In order to improve the quality of life of older people, we need to better understand cognitive aging as well as bodily aging. Health and Cognition in Old Age assembles the cream of research across varied medical, mental health, and social disciplines, and demonstrates how this knowledge can lead to improved outcomes for older people. The first half of this expert volume discusses biomedical and life course factors in aging, particularly as they affect cognition and well-being in later life. From there, effective solutions are the focus: interventions and care programs to improve mental functioning and general quality of life, and current policy and practice ideas in promoting healthy, active, and cognitively robust aging. Together, these diverse chapters offer a multi-faceted approach to understanding and modifying what was formerly the inevitable course of growing old. A sampling of the coverage: - How the aging process affects the immune system. - Occupational gerontology – work-related determinants of old age health and functioning. - Social, behavioral, and contextual influences on cognitive function and decline. - Lifestyle factors in the prevention of dementia. - Understanding long-term care outcomes: conventional and behavioral economics. - Social capital, mental well-being, and loneliness in older people. For gerontologists, sociologists, social workers, health psychologists, and others working to improve older people’s lives, Health and Cognition in Old Age brings expertise, versatility, and confidence to the table. [less ▲]

Social, behavioral, and contextual influences on cognitive function and decline over the life course.

in Leist, Anja; Kulmala, Jenni; Nyqvist, Fredrica (Eds.) Health and cognition in old age. From biomedical and life course factors to policy and practice. (2014)

Maintaining cognitive function is a prerequisite for living autonomously in older age, and it is highly desirable to postpone cognitive decline for as long as possible. In order to understand how ... [more ▼]

Maintaining cognitive function is a prerequisite for living autonomously in older age, and it is highly desirable to postpone cognitive decline for as long as possible. In order to understand how cognitive function is shaped across the life course, it is necessary to focus on life course influences on cognitive aging. The chapter gives a selective review of current knowledge on life course influences on later-life cognitive function with a particular focus on the most recent developments in research on cognitive reserve between 2008 and 2013. First, the theoretical framework of cognitive reserve and life course epidemiology is introduced. Then, an overview is given on life course influences that have been shown to shape later cognitive function, with a focus on important factors of social and behavioral nature, such as education, work environment, and social and physical activities. New research on contextual factors, such as neighborhood socioeconomic status, schooling laws and retirement policies is then presented. The chapter ends with prospects for further research. [less ▲]

Childhood availability of books predicts later-life cognitive function

in Gerontologist (2013, November), 53(S1), 605-605