A recent study published in BMC Medicine reveals that older adults living in neighborhoods with low food access and low income experience faster cognitive decline compared to their peers in better-resourced areas. The research, which analyzed data from the 2010 Food Access Research Atlas and the 2011–2021 National Health and Aging Trends Study, evaluated 4,768 urban-dwelling older adults aged 65 and older.
The study found that participants residing in low food access areas had a more pronounced rate of cognitive decline, which is not part of normal biological aging but rather linked to structural determinants affecting low-income and racial minority communities.
The study highlights that Black and Latinx individuals are more likely to live in neighborhoods with sparse food access and low income, exacerbating existing cognitive health disparities. Researchers noted that the accelerated cognitive decline observed in these populations is related to the structural risk factors inherent in their living environments.
These findings contribute to the growing body of literature suggesting that the food environment is a significant determinant of cognitive health among older adults.
The implications of this research are profound, as they underscore the need for targeted interventions to address food insecurity and improve access to healthy food options in underserved communities. By addressing these structural determinants, policymakers and healthcare providers can work towards reducing health disparities and improving cognitive health outcomes for minority populations.
See: “People living in low food, income areas have faster cognitive aging” (May 6, 2025)
