Journal of Aging and Health最新文献

BackgroundWhile life expectancy has increased globally, chronic disease burdens remain high. Cancer, despite improved survival, remains a major cause of disability and the second leading cause of death. Though behavioral risks such as smoking, poor diet, and physical inactivity are linked to cancer, few studies examine their impact on cancer-free life expectancy and gender disparities.MethodsUsing U.S. Health and Retirement Study data (2004-2020) and a multistate model approach, we estimated cancer-free life expectancy and life expectancy in individuals with cancer at age 50+, examining gender differences and their associations with smoking, poor diet, and physical inactivity.ResultsAt age 50, women live 2.7 more years cancer-free than men (27.3 vs. 24.6 years). Risky behaviors reduce cancer-free life expectancy in both sexes, but women lose more years than men.ConclusionsGender-sensitive public health strategies targeting healthy behaviors could extend cancer-free life expectancy and reduce gender gaps in aging populations.

ObjectivesTo examine whether the association between vision and cognitive difficulties varies by age group.MethodsWe analyzed pooled data from the 2021-2023 National Health Interview Survey, including 52,582 U.S. adults aged 45 and older. Vision and cognitive difficulties were based on self-reports. Logistic regression with interaction terms assessed age-related differences.ResultsVision difficulty was reported by 22.7% of respondents. It was associated with over twice the odds of cognitive difficulty among adults aged 65-84 (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) = 2.2, p < 0.001), stronger in midlife (ages 45-64; interaction aOR = 1.2, p = 0.002), and weaker among those 85+ (interaction aOR = 0.7, p = <0.001). The predicted probabilities show that adults with vision difficulty were consistently more likely to report cognitive difficulty across all age groups, with the relative difference decreasing with age.DiscussionVision difficulty is linked to higher odds of cognitive difficulty, especially in midlife. Early screening and intervention may support cognitive health across the life course.

ObjectiveTo study the associations between midlife physical activity and later-life mobility limitation and falls in monozygotic and dizygotic twin pairs.MethodsMidlife physical activity data from 1975, 1981, and 1990 questionnaires were drawn from the Older Finnish Twin Cohort. In the third survey, the participants were aged 46-50 years. Mobility limitations (none, some or severe) and falls (no falls, single fall or recurrent falls) were self-reported 2014-2016. Data (n = 641) were analyzed using multinomial logistic regression models.ResultsIn individual-level analysis a low level of physical activity in midlife was associated with severe mobility limitations. In within-twin pair analyses physical activity in midlife was associated with single falls among all pairs.DiscussionLower levels of self-reported physical activity during midlife were associated with severe mobility limitations over two decades later. However, this association was attenuated when controlled for genetic factors.

ObjectivesThis study investigates whether early-life and mid-life social relationships with family and friends shape the heterogeneity of later-life cognitive trajectories and whether household registration status moderates the associations.MethodsThe study uses data from 2011-2018 China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (N = 12,564). Cognitive function is assessed with a Chinese version of Telephone Interview for Cognition Status. Childhood social relationships are assessed with relationship quality with mother and father, whether respondent had a good friend, and had group of friends spending time with. Adulthood social relationships are assessed with weekly contact with children and social interactions with friends. Group-based trajectory modeling and multinomial logistic regression models are employed.ResultsThe study identifies four distinct cognitive trajectories. Results indicate respondents who had a better relationship with their mothers, who often had a group of friends during childhood, and who had social interactions with friends during adulthood are associated with more favorable cognitive trajectories. No moderation effects for Hukou status were found.ConclusionsThe findings underscore the enduring impacts of early-life social relationships and the impacts of adult social relationships in shaping later-life cognitive trajectory outcomes. Intervention programs aimed at establishing supportive social relationships may help slow later-life cognitive decline.

IntroductionThis study identified 10-year multimorbidity trajectories among midlife and older adults and examined whether psychosocial resilience resources are associated with trajectory group membership.MethodsUsing Health and Retirement Study data (2010-2020; n = 10,325), repeated measures latent profile analysis characterized trajectories based on the multimorbidity-weighted index (MWI). Resilience resources included psychological resilience, positive emotional support, and social participation. Associations were assessed using multinomial logistic regression.ResultsFour trajectories emerged: "Stable Low Burden" (36.8%); "Slow Progressors" (39.8%); "Rapid Risers" (18.3%); and "High Burden Super Accelerators" (5.1%). Higher psychological resilience, social participation, and emotional support were associated with lower risk of adverse trajectory group membership. Psychological resilience showed the strongest association. Individuals in the highest tertile had markedly lower risk of being in the "High Burden Super Accelerator" group (RRR = 0.19; 95% CI: 0.13-0.29).ConclusionsResilience resources were associated with more favorable multimorbidity trajectories and may buffer chronic disease accumulation over time.

BackgroundPsychological disorders and cognitive impairment frequently co-occur in older adults, posing challenges to healthy aging. This study aimed to examine the association between late-life psychological disorders and the risk of developing cognitive impairment.MethodsProspective study analyzed data from 28,706 older adults enrolled in the Taipei City Older Adults Health Examination (2012-2016), among whom 10.3% developed cognitive impairment during follow-up. Psychological disorders were assessed using the five-item Brief Symptom Rating Scale (BSRS-5), and cognitive impairment was evaluated with the Ascertain Dementia eight-item Questionnaire (AD-8). Cox proportional hazards models were applied to estimate the associations.ResultsPsychological disorder severity exhibited a dose-response relationship with cognitive impairment risk. Compared to participants without disorders, those with mild, moderate, and severe symptoms had 2.47-, 3.99-, and 8.60-fold increased risks of cognitive impairment, respectively.ConclusionEarly identification and targeted interventions for psychological disorders may mitigate the risk of cognitive decline and promote healthy aging.

ObjectiveThis study evaluated the effectiveness of a novel multidimensional group intervention aimed at enhancing subjective cognitive and psychosocial functioning in community-dwelling older adults.MethodsSixty cognitively healthy adults aged 65-75 were randomly assigned to an experimental or control group. The 10-week intervention integrated five components: memory compensation, problem solving, emotion regulation, mindfulness, and locus of control. Validated self-report measures were collected at pre-test, post-test, and 12-week follow-up.ResultsMixed repeated measures MANOVA and ANOVA revealed significant improvements in the experimental group across all targeted domains compared to the control group (p < .001). Gains were sustained at follow-up.DiscussionThis structured, skills-based program significantly enhanced perceived cognitive and emotional functioning in healthy older adults. Its emphasis on real-life application and personal agency supports its use in community-based aging interventions. Trial Registration: Neuroage Study (NCT01481246).

BackgroundThe well-known disablement process has been conceptualized as a series of transitions between progressive states of functional decline. We studied joint patterns of change within disablement states defined as walking speed, grip strength, and self-reported disability.Methods1702 participants aged 65 and over were included from the Longitudinal Aging Study Amsterdam, spanning seven waves over 20 years (1996-2016). Group-based multi-trajectory modeling yielded trajectory clusters (TCs) of different patterns of change, further characterized by baseline sociodemographic characteristics, physical and cognitive health, and survival rate.ResultsFive TCs were identified, distinguished by increasing baseline age. Walking speed and disability showed generally concomitant trajectories. Women had poorer trajectories in grip strength than men, but not in walking speed and disability. Poor physical health distinguished especially the poorest, and cognitive impairment distinguished especially the one-before-poorest from the better TCs.DiscussionThe findings suggest that the disablement states are not generally distinct or sequential.

Objectives: To examine the reciprocal associations between walking performance, physical activity (PA), and perceived autonomy in outdoor mobility in 322 older adults. Methods: At baseline and four years later, a 6-min walk test assessed walking performance. A thigh-mounted accelerometer monitored relative PA (acceleration exceeding the individual's preferred walking intensity on the walk test) and absolute MVPA (acceleration exceeding 3 METs) in free-living. Autonomy in outdoor mobility was self-reported using the IPA subscale. Cross-lagged panel model was used for analyses. Results: Higher relative PA at baseline predicted better walking performance four years later and vice versa (p < .05). Baseline MVPA did not predict subsequent walking performance, but better initial walking performance predicted higher subsequent MVPA (p < .001). In both models, only walking performance predicted perceived autonomy at follow-up (p < .05). Discussion: Accumulating enough PA of a sufficient relative intensity can maintain good walking performance, which in turn helps to maintain perceived autonomy in mobility.

Objective: This study tries to investigate the association between two measures of poverty (subjective poverty and material deprivation) with depression and its underlying mechanism(s). Method: A total sample of 28,723 older adults aged 60 years and above was included from the Longitudinal Aging Study in India. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to estimate the association between poverty measures and depression after adjustment of control variables. The Karlson-Holm-Breen (KHB) method was used for mediation analysis to assess the indirect effect of functional, behavioral, and psycho-social factors between poverty measures and depression. Results: The findings suggested that "subjective poverty" has a significantly stronger impact on depression in comparison to material deprivation. Further, functional and psycho-social factors have significantly mediated the relationship between subjective poverty, material deprivation, and depression but are not favorable for behavioral components. Discussion: We believe that policymakers should reconsider the mental health aspects of poverty to promote healthy aging in India.