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Objectives Identifying social policies that can promote cognitive health is crucial for reducing the global burden of dementia. We evaluated the importance of educational attainment for later-life cognitive function in various social and geographic settings. Methods Using harmonized data for individuals aged ≥65 years from the United States Health and Retirement Study (HRS) and its international partner studies in England, Mexico, China, and India, and each study's respective Harmonized Cognitive Assessment Protocol (HCAP), we conducted a cross-national comparative study to examine the role of educational attainment in later-life cognitive function across countries (n = 14,980, 2016–2019). We used multivariable-adjusted regression to estimate associations between educational attainment and harmonized global cognitive function scores. Results In Mexico, China, and India, the general cognitive function scores on average are approximately one standard deviation of the HRS-HCAP cognitive function score distribution lower compared to the United States and England, paralleling patterns of educational attainment across countries. In all countries, higher educational attainment was associated with progressively higher later-life cognitive function scores. Population-level differences in educational attainment explained about 50%–90% of the observed differences in cognitive function scores across countries. Discussion The relationship between education and later-life cognitive function across social and geographic contexts underscores the crucial role of education to promote cognitive health and reduce dementia risk. Continual improvement of educational attainment in low- and middle-income settings may yield a significant pay-off in later-life cognitive health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

INTRODUCTION: We conducted a cross‐national comparison of the association between main lifetime occupational skills and later‐life cognitive function across four economically and socially distinct countries. METHODS: Data were from population‐based studies of aging and their Harmonized Cognitive Assessment Protocols (HCAPs) in the US, South Africa, India, and Mexico (N = 10,037; Age range: 50 to 105 years; 2016 to 2020). Main lifetime occupational skill was classified according to the International Standard Classification of Occupations. Weighted, adjusted regression models estimated pooled and country‐specific associations between main lifetime occupational skill and later‐life general cognitive function in men and women. RESULTS: We observed positive gradients between occupational skill and later‐life cognitive function for men and women in the US and Mexico, a positive gradient for women but not men in India, and no association for men or women in South Africa. DISCUSSION: Main lifetime occupations may be a source of later‐life cognitive reserve, with cross‐national heterogeneity in this association. Highlights: No studies have examined cross‐national differences in the association of occupational skill with cognition.We used data from Harmonized Cognitive Assessment Protocols in the US, Mexico, India, and South Africa.The association of occupational skill with cognitive function varies by country and gender. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Obesity is a driver of multimorbidity. Knowledge regarding individual and population based solutions is evolving in primary care. Stigma/self-stigma are important in developing clinical solutions. Inquiry based stress reduction (IBSR) is emerging as a solution for self-stigma in a range of conditions. This study explores IBSR (also known as The Work of Byron Katie) in obesity self-stigma in the GP setting, with severe obesity, utilising a multidisciplinary approach. Aim Is it feasible/acceptable to utilise Inquiry Based Stress Reduction in the GP setting for obesity? Method Mixed-method pilot study including a convenience sample of people with severe spectrum obesity from a three-doctor general practice, including use of IBSR provided in both group, partner and individual settings, predominantly online, utilising certified and accredited IBSR facilitators, a clinical psychologist, and participating GPs. Outcomes include pre- and post-intervention surveys (Becks Depression Scale, HRQoL, Weight Bias Internalisation Scale, Weight Self-stigma Questionnaire) and qualitative data from participants. Results Of 22 initially invited to participate, 14 commenced and 10 completed the intervention. Mean BMI was 42.8, mean age 49 years, female:male = 7:3. Many believed obesity was their own fault, related very difficult interactions with healthcare professionals, and valued opportunity to engage with the intervention. While participants had alarming levels of comorbidity, they were far more concerned regarding stigma and self-stigma. Conclusion Results and experience in practice indicate this approach is feasible and acceptable. Results are valuable in planning a larger study in multiple practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: While social support is associated with better cognitive health among cancer-free individuals, this relationship is understudied among cancer survivors. We investigated whether overall social support before and after a cancer diagnosis is related to post-diagnosis memory ageing, overall and by sex/gender., Methods: Data were from 2044 cancer survivors in the US Health and Retirement Study (HRS; n=1395) and English Longitudinal Study of Ageing (ELSA; n=649) from 2006 to 2018. Incident cancer diagnoses and memory function (immediate and delayed word recall) were assessed biennially. Social support was assessed every 4 years in the HRS and biennially in ELSA. We established three time points relative to a cancer diagnosis: pre-diagnosis (the wave prior to cancer diagnosis), time 1 post-diagnosis (the first wave after a cancer diagnosis) and time 2 post-diagnosis (the second wave after a cancer diagnosis). Multivariable-adjusted marginal structural models incorporating inverse probability of treatment and attrition weights estimated the relationship between overall social support and memory function post-diagnosis., Results: Prior to a cancer diagnosis, 45.1% of participants reported high social support. Cancer survivors reporting higher social support at time 2 had better memory function post-diagnosis than those with lower social support (0.14 SD units; 95% CI: 0.03 to 0.24) which was stronger among women (0.18 SD units; 95% CI: 0.02 to 0.34) than men (0.10 SD units; 95% CI: -0.03 to 0.24)., Conclusions: Social support may help promote memory function after a cancer diagnosis in mid-to-later life. Further studies with a larger sample size and differentiation of social support are warranted., Competing Interests: Competing interests: None declared., (© Author(s) (or their employer(s)) 2025. No commercial re-use. See rights and permissions. Published by BMJ Group.)

Introduction: We conducted a cross-national comparison of the association between main lifetime occupational skills and later-life cognitive function across four economically and socially distinct countries., Methods: Data were from population-based studies of aging and their Harmonized Cognitive Assessment Protocols (HCAPs) in the US, South Africa, India, and Mexico (N = 10,037; Age range: 50 to 105 years; 2016 to 2020). Main lifetime occupational skill was classified according to the International Standard Classification of Occupations. Weighted, adjusted regression models estimated pooled and country-specific associations between main lifetime occupational skill and later-life general cognitive function in men and women., Results: We observed positive gradients between occupational skill and later-life cognitive function for men and women in the US and Mexico, a positive gradient for women but not men in India, and no association for men or women in South Africa., Discussion: Main lifetime occupations may be a source of later-life cognitive reserve, with cross-national heterogeneity in this association., Highlights: No studies have examined cross-national differences in the association of occupational skill with cognition. We used data from Harmonized Cognitive Assessment Protocols in the US, Mexico, India, and South Africa. The association of occupational skill with cognitive function varies by country and gender., (© 2023 The Authors. Alzheimer's & Dementia published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of Alzheimer's Association.)