Prospective association between social engagement and cognitive impairment among middle-aged and older adults: evidence from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study.

Social engagement had a protective effect on cognitive impairment among middle-aged and older adults in China. Given the growing epidemic of dementia and rapid pace of ageing in low-income and middle-income countries, our study shed lights on comprehensive and tailored public health programmes for improving social engagement, to delay cognitive impairment at mid-age and later life.