Dementia and Cognitive Decline in Older Adulthood: Are Agricultural Workers at Greater Risk?

ABSTRACT:

Objectives

To examine whether long-term exposure to agricultural work is associated with dementia prevalence and the rate of cognitive change in older adulthood.

Method

We employed data from the Health and Retirement Study (1998-2014). Multiple logistic regression was used to determine whether a longest-held job in the agricultural sector was associated with differences in dementia prevalence. We examined if hearing impairment, depression, and physical health indicators mediated the relationship between agricultural work and cognitive functioning. Subgroup analyses were done by age, retirement status, job tenure, and cognitive domain. We employed growth curve models to investigate implications of agricultural work on age trajectories of cognitive functioning.

Results

SUBMITTER: Arora K 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8849525 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature