Factors associated with cognitive function in older adults in Mexico

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Public Health
• Neuroscience

Background:

• Cognitive decline and dementia present substantial global health challenges, particularly impacting aging populations in middle-income countries like Mexico.
• Understanding age-related cognitive changes is crucial for developing effective public health strategies and interventions for at-risk groups.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify sociodemographic and health-related risk factors associated with cognitive function in older Mexican adults.
• To provide a framework for targeted interventions aimed at mitigating cognitive impairment in aging populations.

Main Methods:

• Utilized data from 2315 older Mexican adults (50+) from the World Health Organization's Study on global AGEing and adult health (WHO SAGE).
• Assessed cognitive function through objective measures including verbal recall, verbal fluency, and digit spans (forward and backward).
• Employed linear regression to analyze the association between cognitive scores and various sociodemographic and health variables.

Main Results:

• Older age, rural residency, and lower income were significantly associated with poorer cognitive function.
• Self-reported severe memory difficulties and challenges with two or more activities of daily living were also strong predictors of cognitive impairment.
• Specific regression coefficients indicated the magnitude of these associations (e.g., older age: β=-13.88, low income: β=-8.28).

Conclusions:

• The study identifies critical risk factors for cognitive decline in older Mexican adults.
• Findings can inform the development of public health policies and interventions in Mexico and similar middle-income countries.
• Addressing factors like socioeconomic status, living environment, and functional limitations is essential for supporting cognitive health in aging populations.