Abstract Background Foreign born (FB) adults from Latin America are projected to account for the largest proportion of the aging immigrant population in the United States (U.S.) Migration related stressors may increase vulnerability for impairments of stress regulatory systems that are vital in maintaining brain health. We assessed how subjective social status, an individual’s perceived sense of standing in society may be associated with brain health and cognitive performance among community dwelling FB Hispanic/Latinos. Method Analyses included 133 FB adults (ages 22‐85) with beta‐amyloid (Aβ42, Aβ40), phosphorylated tau (p‐tau181), neurofilament light (NfL), glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), cardiometabolic, sociodemographic, sociocultural data and concurrent cognitive scores, assessed with the NIH Cognition Toolbox. Participants used the McArthur Scale, a 10‐rung ladder representative of social status in the U.S., to indicate their standing relative to all others. Descriptive statistics were calculated to examine differences by perceived social status tertiles, (i.e., Low (1‐3), Average (4‐5), High (6‐10). Cross sectional multivariable linear regression models estimated the independent effects of biomarkers on outcome scores for episodic memory, processing speed, and total cognition. Model one included age, sex. Model two added education, income, employment, and health insurance. Model three adjusted for covariates in model two and included biological indicators associated with brain health (i.e., glucose, systolic blood pressure, triglycerides). Model four included nativity factors (i.e., age of migration, years of acculturation). An interaction term between plasma biomarker and perceived status examined whether perceived status modified the relationship between plasma biomarker and cognitive outcome. Result Over 27.1% of FB Hispanic/Latinos reported low perceived status. Compared to those with average and high status, participants categorized as low status, reported fewer years of residence in the U.S. (P = 0.020) In multivariable adjusted models, perceived status modified associations between GFAP (P<0.001) and NfL (P<0.001) on composite scores of total cognition (P<0.001) and NfL (P<0.001) and Aβ42/40 (P<0.0001) on episodic memory and processing speed (P<0.001). Conclusion Perceived status among undocumented FB Hispanic/Latino adults was associated with lower scores on cognitive tasks sensitive to stress, age related decline and neurological impairments. Future studies should explore biological mechanisms through which perceived status may influence brain health and cognitive aging.
Existing research has found a positive association between cognitive function and residence in a socioeconomically advantaged neighbourhood. Yet, the mechanisms underlying this relationship have not been empirically investigated.
Objective
To test the hypothesis that neighbourhood socioeconomic structure is related to cognitive function partly through the availability of neighbourhood physical and social resources (eg, recreational facilities, community centres and libraries), which promote cognitively beneficial activities such as exercise and social integration.
Methods
Using data from a representative survey of community-dwelling adults in the city of Chicago (N=949 adults aged 50 and over), cognitive function was assessed with a modified version of the Telephone Interview for Cognitive Status instrument. Neighbourhood socioeconomic structure was derived from US census indicators. Systematic social observation was used to directly document the presence of neighbourhood resources on the blocks surrounding each respondent9s residence.
Results
Using multilevel linear regression, residence in an affluent neighbourhood had a net positive effect on cognitive function after adjusting for individual risk factors. For white respondents, the effects of neighbourhood affluence operated in part through a greater density of institutional resources (eg, community centres) that promote cognitively beneficial activities such as physical activity. Stable residence in an elderly neighbourhood was associated with higher cognitive function (potentially due to greater opportunities for social interaction with peers), but long term exposure to such neighbourhoods was negatively related to cognition.
Conclusions
Neighbourhood resources have the potential to promote 'cognitive reserve' for adults who are ageing in place in an urban setting.
Abstract Compared to only 2% of the total population between ages 65 and 84, 15% of persons with dementia (PWD) transition to nursing homes. This may be due to caregiving challenges associated with the behavioral symptoms PWD exhibit and their reduced capacities to perform daily tasks. Access to neighborhood amenities (e.g., parks, food access, libraries, service providers) may reduce the risk of institutionalization by helping PWD maintain their health and independence through the provision of opportunities for physical exercise, nutritious diets, social interaction, and cognitive stimulation while providing their caregivers with supportive services. Using data from the2006-2016 waves of the Health and Retirement Study (HRS), the HRS Contextual Data Resource, and the National Neighborhood Data Archive, this study aimed to identify neighborhood factors that are associated with transition into a nursing home among PWD who lived in the community (N=3,366). A series of logistic regression models were estimated adjusting for sociodemographic characteristics, health status, and neighborhood characteristics. Findings suggest that access to more park areas, healthy food outlets (i.e., grocery stores, supermarkets, supercenters), social amenities (e.g., museums, libraries), and social services for older adults and those with disabilities (e.g., senior centers, adult day care centers, disability support groups) were significantly associated with a lower risk of 2-year institutionalization. Retail stores and home health services were not significantly associated with the risk of institutionalization. These findings emphasize the importance of neighborhood amenities, such as parks and healthy food outlets, in enabling PWD to age in place.
Abstract Research examining biological risk is critical given that both the Mexican and U.S. populations are aging. Biomarkers can help us understand underlying disease patterns among Mexican-origin individuals in Mexico and the U.S. to help inform disease-prevention efforts for these populations. Using data from the 2012 Mexican Health and Aging Study and the 2010/2012 Health and Retirement Study, we examine seven biomarkers known to predict health risk: systolic and diastolic blood pressure, pulse rate, total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, glycosylated hemoglobin, and C-reactive protein. Logistic regression models, controlling for age and sex, are used to predict high-risk for each biomarker among Mexico-born Mexicans, Mexico-born Mexican-Americans, and U.S.-born Mexican-Americans. Results show that Mexico-born Mexicans exhibit higher biological risk for systolic blood pressure, pulse rate, low HDL cholesterol, glycosylated hemoglobin, and inflammation than Mexico-born and U.S.-born Mexican-Americans. Additionally accounting for socioeconomic status and health behaviors did not explain differences in high-risk among Mexican-born Mexicans.
Policy Points Education‐cognition research overlooks the role of education quality in shaping cognitive function at midlife and older ages, even though quality may be more responsive to federal and state investment in public schooling than attainment. For older US adults who attended school during the early to mid‐20th century, the quality of US education improved considerably as federal and state investment increased. Ensuring access to high‐quality primary and secondary education may protect against poor cognitive function at midlife and older ages, particularly among Black Americans and persons who complete less education. It may also play an important role in reducing health inequities. Context Although educational attainment is consistently associated with better cognitive function among older adults, we know little about how education quality is related to cognitive function. This is a key gap in the literature given that the quality of US education improved considerably during the early to mid‐20th century as state and federal investment increased. We posit that growing up in states with higher‐quality education systems may protect against poor cognitive function, particularly among Black adults and adults who completed fewer years of school. Methods We used prospective data on cognitive function from the Health and Retirement Study linked to historical data on state investment in public schools, restricting our sample to non‐Hispanic White and Black adults born between 1914 and 1959 (19,096 White adults and 4,625 Black adults). Using race‐stratified linear mixed models, we considered if state‐level education quality was associated with level and decline in cognitive function and if these patterns differed by years of schooling and race. Findings Residing in states with higher‐resourced education systems during childhood was associated with better cognitive function, particularly among those who completed less than 12 years of schooling, regardless of race. For White adults, higher‐resourced state education systems were associated with higher scores of total cognitive function and episodic memory, but there were diminishing returns as resources increased to very high levels. For Black adults, the relationship between state education resources and cognitive function varied by age with positive associations in midlife and generally null or negative associations at the oldest ages. Conclusions Federal and state investment in public schools may provide students with opportunities to develop important cognitive resources during schooling that translate into better cognitive function in later life, especially among marginalized populations.
Abstract Although life expectancy has increased significantly over the last century, it is still unlikely that individuals reach the century mark of their lives. As a result, it is difficult to study a large enough sample of centenarian survivors; it is even more difficult to follow developmental trajectories of those who survive into very late life. The AHEAD sample of the Health and Retirement Study (HRS) contains longitudinal data of older adults who first participated in 1993. More than 500 HRS participants survived to at least 98 years of age. In this symposium, we present three uses of the data: first, we compare centenarians to older adults who did not survive into their nineties. Second, we compare different cohorts of centenarians with regard to health and psychosocial behavior. Third, we follow participants from their eighties to 100 years of age. The first presentation provides an overview of the HRS subsample. The second presentation highlights the personality profiles of centenarians. The third presentation traces health and psychological well-being among centenarians in the HRS. Finally, we discuss trajectories of cognition and functional limitations for three cohorts of centenarians. The results provide important information for policies and practical implications for families and service providers to older adults, highlighting available resources and health and well-being changes in very late life.
Objectives We determined if living in historically redlined neighborhoods was associated with level and change in cognitive functioning and if this association differed for Black and White older adults. Methods We linked the Health and Retirement Study 1998–2018 data to redlining scores from the Historic Redlining Indicator data. Our sample included adults aged 50 years and older (24,230 respondents, 129,618 person-period observations). Using three-level linear mixed models, we estimated the relationship between living in historically redlined neighborhoods on level and change in cognitive functioning for pooled and race-stratified samples. Results Residents of historically redlined “Declining” and “Hazardous” neighborhoods had lower cognitive functioning scores compared to residents of “Best/Desirable” neighborhoods. Among Black adults, living in “Hazardous” neighborhoods was associated with slower declines in cognitive functioning compared to living in “Best/Desirable” neighborhoods. Discussion Historical redlining is associated with older adults’ cognitive functioning, underscoring the importance of sociohistorical context for the neighborhood–cognition relationship.
Abstract Prior research shows independent associations of exposure to air pollution and heat on epigenetic alterations. However, less is known about the combined effects of long-term air pollution (PM2.5) and acute heat events. We examine joint effects of elevated PM and heat on DNA methylation (DNAm). Data from the 2016 Health and Retirement Study DNAm Sample (N=3,464) were merged at the census tract level to (1) annual ambient concentrations of PM2.5 from CACES and (2) daily heat index data averaged 7-days before blood collection from gridMET. Four categories of joint PM2.5 and heat were analyzed: (1=reference) low PM2.5 (< 9.2 𝜇g/m3) and low heat (< 80 on heat index); (2) low PM2.5 and high heat; (3) high PM2.5 and low heat; and (4) high PM2.5 and high heat. We used five epigenetic aging measures: Horvath, Hannum, PhenoAge, GrimAge, DunedinPACE. Linear models were adjusted for age, sex, cell type, race/ethnicity, education, and neighborhood poverty. Compared to the reference of low PM2.5 and heat, we found associations of short-term heat and low PM with accelerated DNAm aging for Hannum (𝛽=0.61 95%CI:0.05, 1.18) and PhenoAge 𝛽=0.90 95%CI:0.28, 1.52). High PM2.5 and low heat had weaker associations (Hannum 𝛽=0.41 95%CI:-0.28, 1.11; PhenoAge 𝛽=0.13 95%CI:-0.61, 0.89), as did joint effects of high PM2.5 and heat (Hannum 𝛽=0.21 95%CI:-0.61, 1.03; PhenoAge 𝛽=0.27 95%CI:-0.68, 1.22). Short-term heat may accelerate epigenetic aging, particularly in areas with low air pollution. These findings suggest underlying physiological responses to acute heat exposures may differ between residents in low and high air pollution environments.
