Cognitive ageing journal club

Speakers: Matt Iveson and Lynne Forrest (University of Edinburgh)

Matthew Iveson: “Linking the Scottish Mental Survey 1947 to administrative and healthcare data: Examining recovery, long-term care, and unemployment in later-life.”

Abstract: Linking the Scottish Mental Survey 1947 to a life-course of administrative and healthcare data represents a unique opportunity to investigate the contribution of early-life intelligence to later-life health and wellbeing. I will talk about three planned projects that will take advantage of these linkages: one regarding later-life recovery after stroke or cardiovascular disease, one regarding the risk of entry into long-term care in later-life, and one regarding later-life unemployment and retirement. I will also describe the complexities of organising data linkage between different data controllers.

Lynne Forrest: “Data linkage of the 1947 Scottish Mental Survey with administrative data: Exploring the role of cognitive ability on social and spatial mobility, and subsequent health outcomes”

Abstract: To determine the drivers of social and spatial mobility and the relationship between social and geographic mobility and health outcomes and premature mortality in later life, the 1947 Scottish Mental Survey (a 1936 birth cohort with age 11 cognitive ability test scores) was linked to the Scottish Longitudinal Study, and census data. The patterns of inter-generational social and geographical mobility of this cohort, and how this relates to their cognitive ability, were explored. To determine whether Edinburgh may operate as escalator’ region we examined the movement between three geographical areas in Scotland. We also modelled the relationship between social and geographic mobility and health outcomes in later life.

Glasgow’s life expectancy is lower than other Scottish cities and comparable English cities. As this is not entirely explained by the high levels of deprivation, a number of theories have been suggested, including that of selective migration, where the upwardly mobile move out of Glasgow, leaving behind those who are more deprived and less healthy. Further research will explore the impact of social mobility and migration to Scottish New Towns on health inequalities and premature mortality in Glasgow using 1947 SMS data, again examining the role of cognitive ability.

Contact

The seminars are organised by members of the Centre for Cognitive Ageing and Cognitive Epidemiology. For further information or to join the distribution list, please email Dr Stuart Ritchie.

Centre for Cognitive Ageing and Cognitive Epidemiology

Dr Stuart Ritchie