Cognitive Impairment and Non-Communicable Diseases in Egypt’s Aging Population: Insights and Implications from the 2021–2022 Pilot of “A Longitudinal Study of Egyptian Healthy Aging” “AL-SEHA”

Abstract

As the global population ages, the prevalence of cognitive impairment among older individuals has been steadily rising. Like many countries, Egypt is grappling with the challenges an aging demographic poses. The global network of longitudinal aging studies, modeled after the US Health and Retirement Study (HRS), includes over 40 countries but lacks representation from the Arab/North African region. The proposed 'A Longitudinal Study of Egyptian Healthy Aging' (AL-SEHA) will address this gap by providing data on aging in Egypt, the largest Arab/North African country, shedding light on the intricate relationship between cognitive impairment and non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in Egypt's aging population between 2021 and 2022. This study took place in five governments in Egypt and recruited 299 participants from a population of 50+. The results of the study are from the pilot stage of the original longitudinal study (AL-SEHA).