The effects of residential segregation on cognition among U.S. older adults: a systematic review based on the social determinants of health model

Abstract

Objectives: This systematic review aims to advance the understanding of the complicated effects of segregation on older adults’ cognition and provide guidance for future research. Method: A systematic review using the Social Determinants of Health framework to examine the relationship between segregation and cognition across the selected literature. Results: Eight papers met the criteria for inclusion. All selected studies examined the influence of living in a segregated area on older adults’ cognition, covering older adults from different racial/ethnic groups. The association between segregation and cognition was found in different directions across different racial/ethnic groups. The effects can be varied depending on race/ethnicity, level of education, neighborhood socioeconomic status, or social context. Conclusion: This review identified existing gaps in understanding the relationship between segregation and cognition. Future studies should carefully adopt the segregation measures, acknowledge the varying segregation experience among different racial/ethnic groups, and consider more social determinant factors in research.