The Impact of Clean Water Access on Older Adults' Cognitive Function: A Quasi-Experiment in Rural China

IF 3.6 3区医学 Q2 GERIATRICS & GERONTOLOGY

International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry Pub Date : 2025-05-05 DOI:10.1002/gps.70096

Li Sheng, Junqi Ma

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Objectives

The long-term effect of clean water access on cognitive function of rural older adults is little known. In this paper, we use the implementation of the rural drinking water program in China as a quasi-experiment to explore the impact of clean water access on cognitive function.

Methods

Using longitudinal data from the 2010 to 2020 China Family Panel Studies (CFPS), cognitive function is measured through word tests, math tests, delayed memory, and number series tests. The staggered difference-in-difference (DID) and event study methods are used to test the causal effect of clean water access on cognitive function among rural older adults (aged 60 and above) in China.

Results

We find that clean water access resulting from this program has a significant positive impact on the cognitive function of rural older adults. Specifically, clean water access increases the scores on the word test, the math test, the delayed memory, and the number series test by 0.104, 0.071, 0.096, and 0.111 standard deviations, respectively. Mechanism analysis shows that clean water access promotes cognitive function through physical health (Including improved self-rated health, increased labor market participation), household income and social participation. Heterogeneity analysis indicates that respondents who are female, older, higher education level and higher income level benefit more from this drinking water program.

Conclusions

Clean water access significantly improves the cognitive function of rural older adults through physical health, household income, and social participation. This study suggests that the establishment of sustainable rural drinking water program by governments can alleviate cognitive impairment in older adults and promote health equity.

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清洁水获取对中国农村老年人认知功能的影响：一个准实验

目的：清洁水对农村老年人认知功能的长期影响尚不清楚。本文以中国农村饮水计划的实施为准实验，探讨清洁水获取对认知功能的影响。方法利用2010 - 2020年中国家庭面板研究（CFPS）的纵向数据，通过单词测试、数学测试、延迟记忆和数列测试来测量认知功能。采用交错差中差（DID）和事件研究方法检验了清洁水获取对中国农村老年人（60岁及以上）认知功能的因果影响。结果该项目对农村老年人的认知功能有显著的正向影响。具体来说，获得干净的水会使单词测试、数学测试、延迟记忆和数列测试的分数分别提高0.104、0.071、0.096和0.111个标准差。机制分析表明，获得清洁水可通过身体健康（包括改善自评健康、增加劳动力市场参与）、家庭收入和社会参与来促进认知功能。异质性分析表明，女性、年龄较大、受教育程度较高、收入水平较高的受访者从该饮用水计划中获益更多。结论获得清洁水可通过身体健康、家庭收入和社会参与显著改善农村老年人的认知功能。本研究提示，政府建立农村可持续饮水规划可以缓解老年人认知障碍，促进健康公平。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry 医学-精神病学

CiteScore

6.10

自引率

2.50%

发文量

168

审稿时长

4-8 weeks

期刊介绍： The rapidly increasing world population of aged people has led to a growing need to focus attention on the problems of mental disorder in late life. The aim of the Journal is to communicate the results of original research in the causes, treatment and care of all forms of mental disorder which affect the elderly. The Journal is of interest to psychiatrists, psychologists, social scientists, nurses and others engaged in therapeutic professions, together with general neurobiological researchers. The Journal provides an international perspective on the important issue of geriatric psychiatry, and contributions are published from countries throughout the world. Topics covered include epidemiology of mental disorders in old age, clinical aetiological research, post-mortem pathological and neurochemical studies, treatment trials and evaluation of geriatric psychiatry services.