Life Course Exposure to State Policy Liberalism Contexts and Later-Life Cognitive Health

• In Event: 20826 - Aging and the Life Course

Abstract

Polarization in U.S. state policy has driven geographic disparities in population health, but most studies focus on concurrent policy contexts rather than cumulative exposure over the life course. A life course perspective is crucial because individuals experience varied policy environments at different stages, shaping long-term health outcomes, including cognitive health. Using restricted-access data from the Health and Retirement Study (1998–2020) linked to state policy liberalism data (1932–2020), this study examines how life-course exposure to state policy liberalism shapes later-life cognitive health. We analyze five periods—early childhood (ages 0-5), middle childhood (6-12), adolescence (13-17), emerging adulthood (18-30), and adulthood (31-50)—and their association with cognitive functioning and impairment risk. We test theories around timing, duration, and sequence of exposure. Findings show that prolonged exposure to liberal policies, especially during early childhood, improves cognitive outcomes. Exposure trajectories, particularly increasing liberal policies over time, also enhance cognitive health. These findings highlight the lasting impact of public policy on cognitive health and suggest that supportive policy environments during key life stages can mitigate cognitive decline and reduce cognitive disparities.

Authors

• Jason Wong, Yale University

• Emma Zang, Yale University

• Jennifer Karas Montez, Syracuse University