Seminar Series: Emma Zang

Title: Life-Course Exposure to State Policy Liberalism Contexts and Later-Life Cognitive Health Abstract: Polarization in U.S. state policy has driven geographic disparities in population health, but most studies focus on concurrent policy contexts rather than cumulative exposure over the life course. A life course perspective is crucial because individuals experience varied policy environments at different stages, shaping long-term health outcomes, including cognitive health. Using restricted-access data from the Health and Retirement Study (1998–2020) linked to state policy data (1936–2014), this study examines how life-course exposure to state policy liberalism affects later-life cognitive health. We analyze five periods—early childhood (ages 0-5), school age (6-12), adolescence (13-17), transition to adulthood (18-30), and adulthood (31-50)—and their impact on cognitive functioning and impairment risk. We test theories around timing, duration, and sequence of exposure. Findings show that prolonged exposure to liberal policies, especially in early childhood and adulthood, improves cognitive outcomes. Exposure trajectories, particularly increasing liberal policies over time, also enhance cognitive health. These findings highlight the lasting impact of public policy on cognitive health and suggest that supportive policy environments during key life stages can mitigate cognitive decline and reduce disparities. Bio: Dr. Emma Zang is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Sociology at Yale University, with secondary appointments in Biostatistics and Global Affairs. Her research interests intersect at the nexus of health and aging, family demography, and inequality, employing advanced data science and statistical tools. She also develops and evaluates statistical methods to model trajectories and life transitions, aiming to understand health disparities from a life course perspective. Her research has received media coverage from over 500 outlets in the United States, China, South Korea, India, and Singapore. Her work has received multiple academic awards from organizations such as the American Sociological Association and IPUMS USA.