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ObjectivesWe examined the associations between state-level policies and the health of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) older adults. Methods: Using data from the 2018-2020 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System surveys, we assessed physical and mental health by the tally of points for enacted LGBT-related policies (Low= <0-49.9% of possible points, High= 50-100% of possible points) in 10,032 sexual minority (i.e., lesbian, gay, and bisexual) and 1,072 transgender (non-sexual minority) adults aged 50 and older from 41 states. Results: Sexual minority adults in low tally states had greater odds of reporting fair or poor general health and 14 or more days of poor physical health in the past 30 days. Transgender participants in low tally states also had greater odds of reporting fair or poor general health. Discussion: Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender adults have significantly greater risk of poor health if they live in a state with fewer LGBT anti-discriminatory policies enacted.

Objectives: We examined associations between job strain and cognitive aging in a sample of older Puerto Ricans. Methods: Members of the Puerto Rican Elderly: Health Conditions study, aged 60-100 years at baseline, participated. Job strain indicators were quantified from O*NET ( n = 1632) and a matrix of Job Content Questionnaire scores (JCQ; n = 1467). Global cognition was assessed twice across 4 years. Results: Controlling for age, sex, depressive symptoms, financial problems, hypertension, diabetes, childhood economic hardship, low job control and high job strain were consistently associated with greater cognitive decline. Adding education attenuated these associations. High education strengthened the JCQ job control-cognitive change link. Discussion: Low job control and high job strain may accelerate cognitive aging in this population. However, it may be more difficult to disentangle the intersecting roles of education and job strain in cognitive aging among older Puerto Ricans relative to older adults from contiguous United States or Europe.

Objective: To examine whether changes in memory over a 10-year period could predict a change in C-reactive protein (CRP) levels., Method: A mixed model analysis was first conducted to obtain the estimates for change in memory over the 10-year period using data from the Health and Retirement Study. Then a multivariate regression to determine whether a change in episodic memory could predict subsequent CRP levels was conducted. Furthermore, a general linear model was conducted to determine differences in CRP levels among different rates of change in episodic memory., Results: Greater declines in episodic memory were associated with higher levels of subsequent CRP (Estimate = -0.32, SE = 0.12, β = -.03, p = .008). The general linear model revealed that those with greater memory declines were more likely to have higher levels of CRP, F = 26.50, p < .001., Discussion: These results highlight the notion that memory decline and inflammation may be intertwined, and we discuss various avenues that warrant further investigation.

Objective: The aim of these secondary analyses was to examine cognitive speed of processing training (SPT) gains in cognitive and everyday functioning among older adults with psychometrically defined mild cognitive impairment (MCI)., Method: A subgroup of participants from the Staying Keen in Later Life (SKILL) study with psychometrically defined MCI ( N = 49) were randomized to either the SPT intervention or an active control group of cognitive stimulation. Outcome measures included the Useful Field of View (UFOV), Road Sign Test, and Timed Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADL) Test. A 2 × 2 repeated-measures MANOVA revealed an overall effect of training, indicated by a significant group (SPT vs. control) by time (baseline vs. posttest) interaction., Results: Effect sizes were large for improved UFOV, small for the Road Sign test, and medium for Timed IADL., Discussion: Results indicate that further investigation of cognitive intervention strategies to improve everyday functioning in patients with MCI is warranted.

Objective: To examine the relationship between total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) with disability and physical performance., Method: Wave 1 data were from Costa Rican Longevity and Healthy Aging Study ( n = 2,827). Lipoprotein profiles were measured using blood samples. Disability and physical functioning were measured with activities of daily living/instrumental activities of daily living (ADLs/IADLs) and objective assessment of physical performance., Results: Lower HDL-C was associated with greater ADL disability, and lower TC with longer time to pick-a-pencil and Time-Up-Go (TUG) test. Age interacted between (a) TG and lung function, chair stands, and pick-a-pencil, and (b) HDL-C and TUG. Stratification showed lower TG and longer time picking up a pencil only for those above 84 years. Based on significant interactions with sex, lower TC was associated with slower chair stand time in women and higher HDL-C with slower chair stand time in men., Discussion: Lower levels of lipoproteins may suggest worse physical function, but the association may differ by sex.

Objective: The authors conducted a randomized control trial to examine the effect of the Exercise Dance for Seniors (EXDASE) program on lower-body functioning among older individuals from residential care facilities in the Czech Republic., Method: Participants were randomly assigned into an experimental or control group. The experimental group completed a 3-month EXDASE program. Lower-body functioning was assessed using four performance-based measures. A 2 (group) x 2 (test) general linear model for repeated measures was used to explore whether differences in performance could be attributed to the intervention., Results: The authors found Group x Test interactions for the chair stand test, F(1, 50) = 14.37, p < .001, the 2-minute step test, F(1, 50) = 7.33, p = .009, the chair sit-and-reach test, F(1, 50) = 5.28, p = .026, and the timed up-and-go test, F (1, 44) = 6.59, p = .014, indicating that the experimental group outperformed the control group from pretest to posttest., Discussion: A relatively simple dance-based exercise can support lower-body functioning in previously sedentary, frail older adults.