Abstract:
This study examines how SNAP participation may affect age-related cognitive decline among cognitively intact older adults over 10 years. Leveraging a longitudinal survey of SNAP-eligible participants in the Health and Retirement Study (HRS) collected biennially from 2010 to 2020, we estimate the relationship between SNAP participation and cognitive decline across different population groups. We show that SNAP participation is associated with a slower cognitive decline in global cognition, memory, and executive function. A significant three-way interaction among SNAP participation, race/ethnicity, and time indicates faster decline in global cognition among Non- Hispanic Black and Hispanic SNAP users. Our findings suggest that SNAP participation may help slow age-related cognitive decline. However, the benefits of SNAP vary across different population groups. Policies promoting equitable access to SNAP benefits have significant potential to improve cognitive health across diverse populations.