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Association Between Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Participation and Cognitive Decline Among Older
Linlin Da1, Zhezheng Jin2, Qianhui Xu3
1Department of Health Policy and Management, College of Public Health, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, USA.
Participation in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) may slow cognitive decline in older adults. However, benefits differ across racial and ethnic groups, warranting further investigation.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Public Health
- Cognitive Science
Background:
- Investigates the impact of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) on cognitive aging.
- Focuses on cognitively intact older adults over a 10-year period.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine if SNAP participation mitigates age-related cognitive decline.
- To analyze cognitive trajectories in relation to SNAP enrollment among older Americans.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective cohort study utilizing Health and Retirement Study data (2010-2020).
- Inclusion of SNAP-eligible U.S. adults aged 50 and older.
- Application of linear mixed regression models to assess SNAP's association with cognitive function.
Main Results:
- SNAP participation correlated with slower decline in global cognition, memory, and executive function.
- Significant positive associations observed: global cognition (β=0.10), memory (β=0.07), executive function (β=0.03).
- Interaction analysis revealed a faster cognitive decline among Non-Hispanic Black and Hispanic SNAP users.
Conclusions:
- SNAP may offer protective effects against age-related cognitive decline.
- Cognitive benefits of SNAP are not uniform across all demographic groups.
- Further research needed to understand mechanisms and optimize SNAP's impact on cognitive health.
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