Food insecurity and oral health in older adults.

Introduction: Household food insecurity, defined as inconsistent access to sufficient food in a household, affects 1 in 15 individuals over the age of 60 years in the US. In these individuals it is associated with numerous chronic conditions, medication underuse leading to poorly controlled conditions such as diabetes and hypertension, and poor oral health. However, the relationship between food insecurity and oral health is understudied.

Longitudinal Associations of Diet, Food Insecurity, and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Use with Global Cognitive Performance in Middle-Aged and Older Adults.

Background: Diet quality, food access, and food assistance policies may be key modifiable factors related to cognitive decline.

Objective: We aimed to evaluate whether diet quality, food insecurity, and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) use are associated with longitudinal changes in cognition among older adults in the United States.

Methods: Food intake data from the Health Care and Nutrition Study were linked with longitudinal health information from 5 waves of the Health and Retirement Study (2012-2020).

Social Mediators of the Association Between Depression and Falls Among Older Adults.

Objectives: To investigate the role of social factors in the association between depression and falls among older adults.

Methods: The sample included data from 3443 older adults from three waves of the Health and Retirement Study (2010-2014). A Lifestyle Questionnaire was used to measure social engagement, social network contact, and neighborhood social context.