Education and cognitive function among older adults in Brazil and Mexico

Abstract Education is protective against cognitive impairment. We used nationally representative data from Mexico and Brazil to assess the association between education and cognitive function. The sample included adults ≥ 50 years from the Brazilian Longitudinal Study of Aging (ELSI) and the Mexican Health and Aging Study (MHAS). Participants were classified as cognitively impaired or not impaired. We used logistic regression models to estimate the association between education and cognitive function. Education level was higher in MHAS than in ELSI. Participants with at least 1 year of education were less likely to have cognitive impairment than those with no formal education in both cohorts. Men in ELSI had higher odds for cognitive impairment compared to men in MHAS. In both cohorts, higher educational level was associated with lower odds of cognitive impairment compared to no formal education. Sex was an effect modifier in MHAS but not in ELSI. HIGHLIGHTS Cognitive test batteries were harmonized using a regression‐based approach. Even very low levels of education were associated with reduced odds of cognitive impairment compared to no formal education. Brazilians were more likely to have cognitive impairment than Mexicans given the same education level. The differences in the association of education with cognition between Brazil and Mexico were only observed among men.