COGNITIVE AGING IN LOW- AND MIDDLE-INCOME COUNTRIES

Abstract Cognitive aging is a highly complex, dynamic, and context-dependent process; and is influenced by individual and community characteristics and experiences across the life course. Low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) are critical components of the international dementia research community because the burden of dementia is rapidly rising in LMICs, and low-resource settings may have unique social and economic determinants of cognitive health. However, little population-based research focuses on these regions. The papers in this symposium use high-quality population survey data from Mexico, Brazil, South Africa, and China to study critical social determinants of cognitive function in countries across the globe. These papers cover a range of social and economic factors, including food insecurity, education, household material resources, and urban-rural settings and policy. First, Saenz will present findings on how food insecurity, throughout life, relates with cognitive function among older Mexican adults. Next, Farina will present evidence on both indirect and direct pathways from education to cognitive function among older Brazilians. Third, Kobayashi will present longitudinal data evaluating level and change in household resources in relation to subsequent cognitive function in South Africa. Finally, Zhang will present evidence on the interplay of rural/urban residence and household registration system across the life-course in creating cumulative advantage/disadvantage in cognitive aging using longitudinal data from China. The papers in this symposium provide new insights into social determinants of cognitive health in diverse contexts and have significant policy implications for improving cognitive health in LMICs across the globe.