Exploring the Association between Migration on Cognitive Function Among Middle-aged and Older Adults in China: A Secondary Analysis of the CHARLS

Abstract

(1) The abstract begins by identifying the research problem, which is the intersection of migration and cognitive function in middle-aged and elderly populations in China. This is a critical issue due to the country's rapid demographic transitions and urbanization, which are associated with extensive internal population movements.(2) The study uses data from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS), a nationally representative survey focusing on individuals aged 45 and older. The cognitive function is measured using the Chinese version of the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), and migration status is categorized as interprovincial or intraprovincial. The age at migration is also considered, with participants divided into early-life, mid-life, and late-life migrants. The methodology includes a secondary analysis of the CHARLS data, which involves statistical analysis to examine the association between migration status, age at migration, and cognitive function scores. (3) The findings reveal no significant difference in cognitive function scores between interprovincial and intraprovincial migrants, suggesting that long-distance migration may not necessarily lead to a decline in cognitive function. Additionally, the age at migration did not significantly influence cognitive function, indicating that older migrants do not necessarily experience greater cognitive decline. These results provide valuable insights into the complex interplay between migration patterns and cognitive health, informing policy and intervention strategies aimed at promoting the cognitive well-being of migrant populations.