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Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Participation and Cognitive Decline among Older Americans

Author

Listed:
  • Da, Linlin
  • Jin, Zhezheng
  • Xu, Qianhui
  • Renzi-Hammond, Lisa M.
  • Chen, Zhuo
  • Khan, M. Mahmud
  • Rajbhandari-Thapa, Janani
  • Chen, Xi
  • Wu, Bei
  • Song, Suhang

Abstract

This study examines how SNAP participation may affect age-related cognitive decline among cognitively intact older adults over 10 years. Leveraging a longitudinal survey of SNAP-eligible participants in the Health and Retirement Study (HRS) collected biennially from 2010 to 2020, we estimate the relationship between SNAP participation and cognitive decline across different population groups. We show that SNAP participation is associated with a slower cognitive decline in global cognition, memory, and executive function. A significant three-way interaction among SNAP participation, race/ethnicity, and time indicates faster decline in global cognition among Non- Hispanic Black and Hispanic SNAP users. Our findings suggest that SNAP participation may help slow age-related cognitive decline. However, the benefits of SNAP vary across different population groups. Policies promoting equitable access to SNAP benefits have significant potential to improve cognitive health across diverse populations.

Suggested Citation

  • Da, Linlin & Jin, Zhezheng & Xu, Qianhui & Renzi-Hammond, Lisa M. & Chen, Zhuo & Khan, M. Mahmud & Rajbhandari-Thapa, Janani & Chen, Xi & Wu, Bei & Song, Suhang, 2025. "Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Participation and Cognitive Decline among Older Americans," GLO Discussion Paper Series 1671, Global Labor Organization (GLO).
    • Handle: RePEc:zbw:glodps:1671
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    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • H53 - Public Economics - - National Government Expenditures and Related Policies - - - Government Expenditures and Welfare Programs
    • I38 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Welfare, Well-Being, and Poverty - - - Government Programs; Provision and Effects of Welfare Programs
    • J14 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Economics of the Elderly; Economics of the Handicapped; Non-Labor Market Discrimination
    • I18 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Government Policy; Regulation; Public Health
    • H75 - Public Economics - - State and Local Government; Intergovernmental Relations - - - State and Local Government: Health, Education, and Welfare

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