Age and Early-Life Disadvantage on Gender Differences in Cognitive Functioning among Older Adults in India: Results from Longitudinal Ageing Study in India (LASI)

Y Selvamani, School of Public Health, SRMIST

Studies show considerable gender variations in cognitive functioning and dementia in India. The role of early-life disadvantage and age is less examined. In this study, we examined the interaction age-associated decline and early-life disadvantage on cognition using LASI data. The results suggest that age-associated decline is faster for women. Similarly, the early-life disadvantage is stronger for women than men. These results suggest that significant role of age-associated decline and early life disadvantage on gender variations in cognition in India. We also observed faster decline in cognition for Muslim women. Measures to target women in the middle-aged who experienced poor childhood will be essential to improve the cognitive functioning.

Keywords: Gender Dynamics, Inequality, Disadvantage and Discrimination

See extended abstract.