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Black-white mental status trajectories: What ages do differences emerge?
DeAnnah R Byrd1, Gilbert C Gee2, Wassim Tarraf1
1Wayne State University, Institute of Gerontology, 87 E. Ferry Street, Knapp Building, Detroit, MI 48202, USA.
Racial disparities in cognitive function emerge in midlife, with Black adults experiencing a faster decline than White adults. These differences persist even after accounting for social and health factors, underscoring the need for early interventions.
Area of Science:
- Cognitive aging research
- Health disparities
- Longitudinal studies in gerontology
Background:
- Existing research indicates racial disparities in cognitive function among older U.S. adults, with African Americans often scoring lower than Whites.
- Previous studies have primarily focused on individuals aged 51 and older, leaving a gap in understanding when these disparities begin.
- The age of onset for cognitive differences between racial groups remains unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine racial disparities in mental status trajectories among adults, starting from age 25.
- To analyze cognitive differences between Black and White adults over a 25-year period.
- To identify the age at which cognitive disparities become apparent.
Main Methods:
- Utilized data from the Americans' Changing Lives Study (ACL), a longitudinal cohort of 3,617 participants.
- Tracked participants aged 25-100 from 1986 to 2011 across five waves.
- Employed growth models to assess mental status using the Short Portable Mental Status Questionnaire, controlling for sociodemographic and health factors.
Main Results:
- Significant racial disparities in mental status were observed, emerging in midlife.
- Black adults exhibited a steeper rate of cognitive decline compared to White adults.
- These disparities remained evident even after adjusting for education, income, diabetes, stroke, tobacco use, and depression.
Conclusions:
- Cognitive disparities between Black and White adults emerge in middle age and intensify with advancing age.
- Addressing racial disparities in cognition across the entire adult life course is crucial.
- Understanding early-life influences on later-life cognitive outcomes is essential for mitigating these disparities.
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