Carlos Díaz-Venegas|Brian Downer|Kenneth M. Langa|Rebeca Wong
Racial and ethnic differences in cognitive function among older adults in the USA
The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston|The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston|University of Michigan–Ann Arbor|The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston
objective examine differences cognition hispanic nonhispanic black nhb nonhispanic white nhw older adults united states datamethods final sample includes 18 982 participants aged 51 older received modified version telephone interview cognitive status 2010 health retirement study followup ordinary least squares used examine differences overall cognition according raceethnicity results hispanics nhb lower cognition nhw age groups 5159 6069 7079 80 hispanics higher cognition nhb age groups differences within one point lower cognition among nhb compared nhw remained significant controlling age gender education whereas differences cognition hispanics nhw longer significant controlling covariates cognitive scores increased greater educational attainment raceethnic groups hispanics exhibited least benefit discussion results highlight role education raceethnic differences cognitive function old age education seems beneficial cognition old age raceethnic groups hispanics appear receive lower benefit compared raceethnic groups research needed racial ethnic differences pathways benefits educational attainment latelife cognitive function copyright 2016 john wiley amp sons ltd