Understanding cognitive decline in older ages: The role of health shocks

V. Schiele, H. Schmitz, Understanding Cognitive Decline in Older Ages: The Role of Health Shocks, RWI - Leibniz-Institut für Wirtschaftsforschung, Ruhr-University Bochum, TU Dortmund University, University of Duisburg-Essen, 2021.

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Working Paper | English
Abstract
Individual cognitive functioning declines over time. We seek to understand how adverse physical health shocks in older ages contribute to this development. By use of event-study methods and data from the USA, England and several countries in Continental Europe we find evidence that health shocks lead to an immediate and persistent decline in cognitive functioning. This robust finding holds in all regions representing different health insurance systems and seems to be independent of underlying individual demographic characteristics such as sex and age. We also ask whether variables that are susceptible to policy action can reduce the negative consequences of a health shock. Our results suggest that neither compulsory education nor retirement regulations moderate the effects, thus emphasizing the importance of maintaining good physical health in old age for cognitive functioning.
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Ruhr Economic Papers
Volume
919
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Schiele V, Schmitz H. Understanding Cognitive Decline in Older Ages: The Role of Health Shocks. Vol 919. RWI - Leibniz-Institut für Wirtschaftsforschung, Ruhr-University Bochum, TU Dortmund University, University of Duisburg-Essen; 2021.
Schiele, V., & Schmitz, H. (2021). Understanding cognitive decline in older ages: The role of health shocks (Vol. 919). RWI - Leibniz-Institut für Wirtschaftsforschung, Ruhr-University Bochum, TU Dortmund University, University of Duisburg-Essen.
@book{Schiele_Schmitz_2021, series={ Ruhr Economic Papers}, title={Understanding cognitive decline in older ages: The role of health shocks}, volume={919}, publisher={RWI - Leibniz-Institut für Wirtschaftsforschung, Ruhr-University Bochum, TU Dortmund University, University of Duisburg-Essen}, author={Schiele, Valentin and Schmitz, Hendrik}, year={2021}, collection={ Ruhr Economic Papers} }
Schiele, Valentin, and Hendrik Schmitz. Understanding Cognitive Decline in Older Ages: The Role of Health Shocks. Vol. 919. Ruhr Economic Papers. RWI - Leibniz-Institut für Wirtschaftsforschung, Ruhr-University Bochum, TU Dortmund University, University of Duisburg-Essen, 2021.
V. Schiele and H. Schmitz, Understanding cognitive decline in older ages: The role of health shocks, vol. 919. RWI - Leibniz-Institut für Wirtschaftsforschung, Ruhr-University Bochum, TU Dortmund University, University of Duisburg-Essen, 2021.
Schiele, Valentin, and Hendrik Schmitz. Understanding Cognitive Decline in Older Ages: The Role of Health Shocks. RWI - Leibniz-Institut für Wirtschaftsforschung, Ruhr-University Bochum, TU Dortmund University, University of Duisburg-Essen, 2021.

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