September 06, 2024 | News | SPOTLIGHT

Robust improvements in cognitive health in European countries, but not in the United States

[SPOTLIGHT]

Development of memory performance in several countries compared - US weakest

Cognitive impairment is a major concern for the aging population, with more than 55 million people worldwide suffering from dementia, a number expected to triple by 2050. A recent study found that compared to the United States, most European countries have shown significant improvements in average memory function among adults aged 50 and older over the past two decades. The study's findings highlight the need for further research and public health efforts to understand the reasons for cross-national differences in cognitive health trends, particularly the relatively stagnant trend in the United States.

Cognitive impairment is a major health concern for the aging population. It is estimated that more than 55 million people worldwide suffer from dementia, and this number is expected to triple by 2050. Alzheimer's disease and related dementias are already among the top ten causes of death worldwide. A recent study by the Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research (MPIDR) examines the trends in cognitive health over time in different countries.

The researchers compared data from adults aged 50 and older from the US (years 1998-2018), England (2002-2018), and eleven European countries (2004-2019). Cognitive health was measured by memory performance, based on word recall tests and then analyzed using regression models adjusted for age, sex, sociodemographic characteristics, and health behaviors. The results show that age-adjusted average memory function improved robustly in most European countries. The trend in the US however was stagnant, showing little signs of improvement over time. The differences across countries were largely similar for different age groups, for men and women, and for different education levels: European countries had robust improvements, and the trend for the US lagged behind.

The researchers conclude that the reasons for the cross-national heterogeneity of these trends, and in particular the reasons for the relatively poor performance of the United States, should be a priority for both research and public health.

Original Publication

Mikko Myrskylä, Jo Mhairi Hale, Daniel C Schneider, Neil K Mehta: Trends in memory function and memory impairment among older adults in the USA and Europe, 1996-2018 in The Journals of Gerontology: Series A, glae154(2024); DOI: 10.1093/gerona/glae154