Racial and Ethnic Differences in Cognitive Decline in Older Adults
Author Information
Author(s): JarrÃn Olga, Thorpe Roland, Kobylarz Fred, Xia Weiyi, Kim Hyosin, Zafar Anum, Lopez Maria, Lin Haiqun
Primary Institution: Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey
Hypothesis
Do racial/ethnic and sex differences affect late-life cognitive trajectories?
Conclusion
Black, Hispanic, and Asian American older adults are at a higher risk of severe cognitive impairment compared to their peers.
Supporting Evidence
- Prior research has shown limited sample sizes in studies of cognitive trajectories.
- Older age is associated with a higher risk of cognitive impairment.
- The findings replicate and sometimes refute previous studies from smaller cohorts.
Takeaway
Some older people from different racial and ethnic backgrounds may have more trouble with thinking and memory as they age.
Methodology
The study used real-world data from the U.S. Medicare beneficiary population to analyze cognitive function trajectories.
Limitations
The study may be limited by the generalizability of findings from the Medicare population to other groups.
Participant Demographics
The study focused on Black, Hispanic, and Asian American men and women.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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