Cognitive epidemiology: Its rise, its current issues, and its challenges

Abstract

Cognitive epidemiology is the study of intelligence—as measured using psychometric tests—as an associate of mortality, illness, and health. This essay has three parts. In Part 1, the rise of cognitive epidemiology—mostly in the last decade—is surveyed. Some reasons for its becoming convincing and well-established are enumerated and discussed. In Part 2, many of the current issues of interest within cognitive epidemiology are listed and exemplified. These address specific causes of death and specific illnesses and health behaviours with which intelligence is associated. The studies which attempt to address mechanisms of association are highlighted and discussed. In Part 3, a series of challenges facing cognitive epidemiology are examined. These include the better integration with epidemiology, the better uncovering of mechanisms, and the application of cognitive epidemiology’s findings to health policy and practices.