bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
CROSS-NATIONAL DIFFERENCES IN AGE AND EDUCATION GRADIENTS FOR DECLINE IN VERBAL FUNCTIONING
Authors: Han Chengming , Bramajo Octavio , Downer Brian 
Published: January 2025

Abstract
Background. Despite the well-established associations of education and higher cognition in old age, the patterns of education gradient in different social contexts have not been adequately explored. Objective. This paper explores cross national differences in cognitive decline between adults older than 50 years in the U.S., Mexico, and China. Methods. Data were drawn from Health and Retirement Study (HRS, 2012-2020), Mexican Health and Aging Study (MHAS, 2012-2021), and China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS, 2011-2020). Multilevel models were used to estimate the change in verbal function across six age groups (50-55, 56-60, 61-65, 66-70, 71-75, and 76+) and six education groups. We compared the education gradients adjusting for physical health, residence, and gender. Results. HRS respondents had the highest levels of education, whereas respondents from CHARLS had the lowest. Higher educational attainment was associated with higher verbal functioning, but the education gradient was the most pronounced in CHARLS. The slopes of verbal functioning decline were steeper in respondents aged over 60 years in MHAS and CHARLS compared to HRS. However, MHAS and CHARLS respondents in the age groups of 50-60 and 76+ showed slower cognitive decline after adjusting for education. Conclusion. Middle-aged and older adults in Mexico and China experienced faster decline in verbal functioning after age 50 than in the US. These differences can be partly explained by the lower levels of education in Mexico and China. The education gradient displayed different patterns across countries. Future studies should pinpoint heterogeneity and make policies according to different social contexts.
THE LONGITUDINAL INFLUENCE OF MENTAL DEMANDS OF OCCUPATION ON COGNITIVE FUNCTION AMONG MEXICAN OLDER ADULTS
Authors: Gutierrez Mariela 
Published: January 2025

Abstract
This study addresses the role of occupation as a determinant of cognitive health in low-middle income countries (LMICs), focusing on Mexico. While high-income countries have established links between cognitively stimulating jobs and preserved cognitive functioning, research in LMICs is limited. The aim is to investigate the association between lifetime mental work demands and memory changes from 2001 to 2018 in Mexican older adults. We used data from the Mexican Health and Aging Study (MHAS), a nationally representative study of individuals aged 50 and above. Participants main lifetime occupation is classified according to the Mexican Classification of Occupations. MHAS data was linked to the Occupational Information Network (O*NET), which provides descriptors for various job domains, including cognitive abilities. A mental demand index was created from ten O*NET items, and a memory score was derived from immediate and delayed recall of an 8-word list. Linear mixed effect models with random intercepts were conducted to analyze the association between mental demands of work and memory scores, adjusting for demographic, health, and job-related variables. While the association between mental work demands and memory changes was not statistically significant, estimates indicate a decline in memory scores over time. The findings reveal more memory decline among agricultural and domestic/service workers compared to professionals and administrative workers. Other work factors associated declines in memory are receiving benefits from work, age at which individuals began their work. This research contributes to understanding the complex interplay between occupation, cognitive health, and aging in LMICs, particularly in the Mexican context.
EMANCIPATORY GERONTOLOGY IN THE 21ST CENTURY—STRUCTURE, ACTION, AND IDEOLOGIES: A SYMPOSIUM HONORING CARROLL ESTES
Authors: Dannefer Dale , Phillipson Chris , Kelley Jessica 
Published: January 2025

Abstract
Emancipatory gerontology (Estes, 2020) envisions possibilities of moving toward a society where citizens of all ages experience dignity and access to essential resources. Such possibilities require transforming institutional configurations and dominant ideological narratives around class, race, gender, and age. Yet the longstanding resistance to such ideals has been further aggravated recently by the effects of neoliberal policies and by renewed forms of racist and other exclusionary ideologies, as well as ageism itself. The symposium presents critical work across a range of key gerontological domains. Papers explore the stratification of longevity and related issues, especially in urban settings, ideological and practical consequences of the intersection of age and race, and ongoing conceptual and ideological issues in life-course and gerontological theorizing. Maya Rockeymoore Cummings elaborates the fresh concept of rageism - the intersection of ageism and racism - and the ways in which various levers of power are used to undermine life chances of non-European racial and ethnic groups across the life course and generations. Jan Baars explores inequalities affecting ageing over the life course, arguing that long lives are increasingly a privilege for wealthier members of society. Chris Phillipson and Tine Buffel consider new social divisions emerging between and across age groups, with large cities driving distinctive forms of inequality associated with gentrification and class and race segregation. Dale Dannefer interrogates the continuing uncritical use of the concept of agency, exploring how discourses of life-course and gerontological scholarship may have ideological components that contributes to the legitimation of destructive social arrangements.
EMANCIPATORY GERONTOLOGY AND THE POLITICAL ECONOMY OF THE CITY: NEW INEQUALITIES AND POLICY RESPONSES
Authors: Phillipson Chris , Buffel Tine 
Published: January 2025

Abstract
Carroll Estes identifies a central aim of an ‘emancipatory gerontology’ as ‘advancing knowledge and the realization of dignity, access, equity and social justice through individual and collective agency and social institutions.’ Wright argues that the word ‘emancipation’ signals a central moral purpose in the production of knowledge, with ‘the elimination of oppression and the creation of conditions for human flourishing’. But the achievement of these aims has been undermined with the dismantling of the welfare state, extremes of economic inequality, and the expansion of precarious employment. The impact of such trends on groups such as older people continue to be the subject of extensive research. However, of additional concern are divisions created by economic and social forces operating within urban environments. Savage argues that large cities are not just products but drivers of inequality, with many European and North American cities no longer serving people from a wide range of communities, reflected in the decline of affordable housing, and the impact of gentrification. The presentation will consider how a political economy of the city, drawing on research in urban sociology, can re-vitalise a critical gerontology, bringing new perspectives on ageing and the life course. The paper will explore how this approach can be used as a framework for understanding new forms of inequality affecting later life. It will conclude by arguing that different ideas are needed for ‘thinking about’ ageing within cities, highlighting how innovations produced by urban environments can serve as a catalyst for emancipation and liberation from oppression.
AGE, AGING, AND SOCIAL JUSTICE
Authors: Baars Jan 
Published: January 2025

Abstract
The concept of Emancipatory Gerontology goes back to the early work of Habermas. An emancipatory human interest was presented as constitutive for a critical social science that reflects on its own social and methodological presuppositions and on the practical consequences of scientifically based actions. This program has lost nothing of its urgency. Studies of aging need to consider that they are part of a society where Long Lives are for the Rich (Baars, 2024). Even in a relatively egalitarian society as The Netherlands persons with a low SES live eight years shorter than the more advantaged and live 23 years longer with chronic disease. This widely spread phenomenon in Western countries qualifies not only institutionalized aging processes as deeply unequal but also changes the significance of ‘middle age’, education or work. Studies of aging cohorts need to include those who have already died of causes that can hardly be seen as autonomous choice or genetic misfortune. This profound inequality over the life course is constituted by a neoliberal society in which the rich become richer and the life course is increasingly organized as an entrepreneurial challenge. Besides the injustice that is inflicted upon disadvantaged citizens these structural inequalities are beginning to rip societies apart. However, social justice theories of aging, with their naturalization of ‘age’ and ‘age groups’ have hardly noticed the effects of social inequality on aging processes. These shortcomings will be analyzed and confronted with more adequate theories of social justice and aging.
RAGEISM: RACISM, AGEISM, AND THE QUEST FOR LIBERATION DEMOCRACY
Authors: Cummings Maya Rockeymoore 
Published: January 2025

Abstract
Structural discrimination subjects people from low-income and historically marginalized racial and ethnic groups in the United States to an anomalous aging process that exacerbates their exposure to social and environmental harms, deprives them of essential resources, and increases their levels of health-harming chronic stress. Although not typically referred to as such, this can also be considered a form of ageism. But the combination of racism and ageism, or “rageism,” should be considered a unique phenomenon because of the compounded effects of both forms of discrimination on the lives of those who experience it. In this formulation racism still means a system of oppression enacted against people with darker skin—and can be extended to the intersecting isms associated with class, gender, sexuality, etc.—but the term ageism, which typically refers to discrimination against older adults aged fifty and over, is redefined to describe the systematic effort to deprive black and brown people by deliberately sabotaging their quality of life at every stage of the life course. This reconceptualization helps us to understand age discrimination in its most complete and pernicious form. The official definition of rageism, therefore, is a systematic and persistent form of race, ethnic, and age-based discrimination that uses political institutions, public policy, and other levers of power to undermine the quality and length of life of low-income and non-European racial and ethnic groups from pre-birth to death and across generations. This talk will describe and provide examples of rageism while offering a framework to overcome it.
ESPO AND ACADEMY FOR GERONTOLOGY IN HIGHER EDUCATION SECTION SYMPOSIUM: INTERGENERATIONAL ENGAGEMENT IN HIGHER EDUCATION: SUCCESSES, SETBACKS, AND BEST PRACTICES
Authors: Stephan Abigail , Fassi Janelle , De Fries Carson 
Published: January 2025

Abstract
Connecting generations through experiential learning opportunities in higher education provides promise for mutually beneficial outcomes. While the theoretical underpinnings (i.e., the “why”) are clear, the practical application (i.e., the “how”) of bringing undergraduate students and older adults together can be more messy. This session focuses on lessons learned, strategies for success, and setbacks to be aware of, with the goal of enhancing our fortitude as educators who value and strive to incorporate impactful intergenerational experiences into the student experience. The first presentation explores the perspectives of students and older adult participants engaged in an intergenerational team-based learning course for first-year undergraduate students, framed by Age-Friendly University principles. The second presentation shares lessons learned from a new service-learning model in which students assessed the transportation needs of older adults engaged with the university-affiliated Osher Lifelong Learning Institute. The third presentation examines the experience of undergraduate students engaged in hands-on gerontology research and highlights takeaways based on students’ intergenerational connections with older adult participants. The final presentation sheds light on sustainable program development through describing their creation of a checklist that aids in intergenerational technology program implementation within higher education. In addition to drawing on the perspectives of scholars across the academic career-span, this symposium session highlights the many contexts within higher education in which intergenerational connections can be facilitated. Aligning with the Annual Scientific Meeting 2024 theme, these presentations demonstrate fortitude in refining processes to ensure we are building optimal experiences that connect students and older adults.
STUDENTS HELPING OLLI BUILD A MORE DIVERSE MEMBERSHIP WITH AN ASSESSMENT OF AVAILABLE TRANSPORTATION OPTIONS
Authors: Donorfio Laura 
Published: January 2025

Abstract
An undergraduate adulthood and aging class partnered with Osher Lifelong Learning Institute’s (OLLI) Diversity Committee to identify transportation resources available for seniors in their community to potentially increase the diversity of the OLLI membership. A needs assessment research framework was used to put a semester long, four-phase research project into place, each with specific goals and milestones. General milestones included researching available transportation resources and organizations for seniors; documenting target audiences and associated difficulties using said resources; exploring potential solutions and providing recommendations for future pilot projects. The Director of the OLLI program attended monthly report outs to assist in the creation of a doable pilot project, helping identify key constraints and logistics. The semester ended with a formal research report out, executive summary, and the university career counselor attending to help students brainstorm and create solid resume entries. The presentation will finish by describing what was learned via best practices and practices to avoid, particularly intergenerational “gaps” that surfaced on how to collect research, the types of research, and the breadth and depth of the research. Lastly lessons learned as a teacher on how to be in the “middle” of both generations and the OLLI director to help make the project a success and how to get student “buy in” by continually reviewing the importance of participating in a service-learning class project for future career aspirations.
SHORT EDUCATION INTERVENTION MITIGATES AGEISM IN EARLY ADOLESCENCE
Authors: Suberry Assaf , Okun Sarit , Ayalon Liat 
Published: January 2025

Abstract
This study explored the effectiveness of a 90-minute workshop in reducing ageism and fostering social activism among 318 Israeli teenagers (11-15 years old, 73.4% female). The workshop aimed to provide accurate information, counter-stereotypes, and peer discussion through activities like talks, games, videos, and meme creation to promote a more inclusive society. The intervention significantly improved familiarity with the concept of ageism, with teenagers drawing parallels to discrimination and racism. The Children’s Attitudes Towards Elderly (CATE; Seefeldt et al., 1977) was administered before and after the intervention. A dependent samples t-test indicated a significant mean difference in age stereotypes within the same participants, with a medium effect size, (t(317)=-11.91, p&lt;.001, Cohen’s d=.51). Building on prior findings, this study adds to the evidence that educational interventions can improve attitudes towards older adults. Interestingly, while a wider range of age stereotypes emerged post-workshop, a shift towards positive perceptions was observed, particularly among females. Importantly, two-thirds of the teenagers’ created memes targeted ageism against older adults, highlighting its prevalence. However, nearly 20% promoted age-inclusivity, and 17% addressed ageism towards younger generations. These findings suggest the intervention’s potential in fostering social change and highlight the need for further exploration of ageism in youth populations.
MODERATORS OF TREATMENT EFFICACY IN SOCIAL INTELLIGENCE TRAINING WITH CUSTODIAL GRANDMOTHERS
Authors: Smith Gregory , Dolbin-MacNab Megan , Infurna Frank , Hu Luxin 
Published: January 2025

Abstract
In a previously reported randomized clinical trial (RCT), we found that online social intelligence training (SIT) was superior to an attention control (AC) condition at improving psychological and relational well-being within a national sample of 349 custodial grandmothers (CGM). However, because the corresponding effect sizes (ES) were modest (range =.22 -.41) and effects waned over time, the present investigation used the same RCT data to investigate moderators of differential treatment efficacy for psychological and relational outcomes at both immediate (T1) and nine-months (T5) post intervention. Multiple potential moderators (including CGM adverse childhood experiences, key contextual/demographic factors, and baseline values of all study outcomes) were first entered simultaneously into classification and regression tree analyses to identify predictors of treatment efficacy within the SIT condition at T1 and T5. Less favorable baseline values of the study outcomes emerged as the only significant predictors of treatment-related change in the SIT condition, with generally large effect sizes (.50 - 1.44) observed. To establish whether these predictors were true moderators of differential treatment efficacy, a series of MANOVAs were then conducted to see if these predictors interacted significantly with RCT condition. At T1 and T5, moderation was scarce across psychological outcomes (i.e., depressive and anxious symptoms, self-esteem, and loneliness) but plentiful across relational outcomes (i.e., prosocial behavior, attachment with grandchild, and peer and grandchild relational quality). We conclude that, SIT is a promising intervention for enhancing the relational well-being of CGM, especially for those with poorer baseline levels. [Funded by R01AG054571]
DEMENTIA KNOWLEDGE IN CHINESE NEWSPAPERS (2005–2020): A TOPIC MODELING ANALYSIS
Authors: Chen Lin , Tian Felicia F , Fu Yu 
Published: January 2025

Abstract
How public policies convey dementia is an important source of the public’s understanding of dementia, and newspapers are critical to depicting and disseminating this information to the public. The present study used topic modeling strategies to analyze Chinese newspaper portrayals of dementia from 2005 to 2020 to trace changes in key areas of dementia knowledge in relevant policies. Using WiseNews, the largest Chinese media database, we chose 45 newspapers from mainland China and identified 12,719 articles related to dementia. Using latent Dirichlet allocation (LDA), we performed a topic modeling analysis and identified the six most prevalent topics on dementia across articles: lifestyle recommendations, neighborhood life, foundational scientific research, celebrity and media portrayals, dementia caregiving, and pharmaceutical innovations—all related to the dementia knowledge scale’s four dimensions. Findings suggest a steady increase in the number of articles on dementia caregiving and a decline in lifestyle recommendations from 2005 to 2020. However, newspapers continued to stigmatize aging by regularly co-depicting dementia and old age and by using biased terminology. Among the first to investigate dementia’s portrayals in mainland Chinese newspapers, this study illuminates the need for expanding mass media campaigns to raise the country’s dementia knowledge to foster a dementia-inclusive society.
POLICY SERIES: HEALTH AND AGING POLICY FELLOWS: CONNECTING EXPERIENCE TO POLICY
Authors: Henry Maureen , Liu Pi Ju 
Published: January 2025

Abstract
For health and aging policy to be effective, it must link an understanding of how systems impact individuals to an understanding of how policy influences the systems. Systems such as health care and social service delivery, family caregiving, lifelong learning, zoning laws, and the housing market influence older people and their families. Policy can make these systems better - or worse - for supporting the health and wellbeing for older people. The Health and Aging Policy Fellows program provides experts with real-life experience the opportunity to learn how policy works so they can better support older people. This symposium will describe how current fellows are addressing federal policy within congress and administrative agencies, state policy through a non-profit organization comprising state aging officials, and across government through a non-profit organization focused on caregiving policy. The 2024 reauthorization of the Older Americans Act is an area of focus across all settings. Fellows are also working on care and payment models in primary care and geriatrics; assisted living facilities; direct care workforce; family caregiving policy and research agendas; elder justice, including Adult Protective Services, the Long-Term Care Ombudsman, guardianship). During the symposium, fellows will discuss these and related topics the context of their fellowship experiences.
EMBRACING OPPORTUNITIES TO ENGAGE IN WORK ON POLICIES AND PROGRAMS ON ELDER RIGHTS
Authors: Teaster Pamela 
Published: January 2025

Abstract
The Health and Aging Policy Fellowship (HAPF) provides fellows with an unprecedented opportunity to understand, to experience, and to delve into various dimensions of policy making with the goal of improving the health and well-being of present and future older adults and their families. The purpose of this presentation is to discuss opportunities that my fellowship placement afforded to work on elder rights policies with staff of the Administration for Community Living. First, I will provide an overview of ACL activities and responsibilities. Then, specifically, I will discuss policy making challenges and opportunities related to the projects on which I worked: Adult Protective Services, the Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program, and guardianship. I will conclude the presentation with how the experiences I had with the HAPF have shaped my present and future research, instruction, and outreach.
ADVANCING FAMILY CAREGIVER HEALTH AS A KEY PUBLIC HEALTH PRIORITY
Authors: Polenick Courtney 
Published: January 2025

Abstract
The Health and Aging Policy Fellowship (HAPF) offers exposure to the development and implementation of health policies at both the state and national levels. As a family caregiving researcher and the first Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation HAPF Caregiving Policy Track Fellow, my HAPF placements included the Office of U.S. Congresswoman Debbie Dingell and the National Alliance for Caregiving (NAC). These placements provided various opportunities to learn more about translating research findings into policies and actions that improve services and supports for older adults and their family caregivers. Based on extensive research showing that caregiving can lead to negative health effects, it is critical to consider family caregiver health as an important public health priority. My placement with the Office of Congresswoman Dingell focused on advancing legislation to enhance home and community-based services (HCBS), including supports for family caregivers. My placement with NAC focused on building upon their public health framework and further promoting family caregiver health as a key public health issue. We synthesized common priorities within existing public health frameworks that are applicable to family caregiving across the lifespan. We also identified upstream intervention and system change approaches for implementing parts of the 2022 National Strategy to Support Family Caregivers to advance family caregiver health within the public health landscape.