India’s ageing population is growing rapidly, with many older adults exposed to poor housing, weak community infrastructure, and psychosocial stress. Evidence shows neighborhood deprivation reduces social cohesion, depression links deprivation to cognitive decline, and poor housing raises sarcopenia risk. Yet, these pathways are rarely examined together. This study draws on over 30,000 adults aged 60+ from the Longitudinal Ageing Study in India (LASI, 2017–18). Neighborhood deprivation was measured with the Index of Multiple Deprivation; housing quality was assessed using sanitation, water, cooking fuel, and electricity indicators. Social cohesion and depression (CES-D) were used as psychosocial measures, while outcomes included cognitive functioning and sarcopenia (AWGS 2019 criteria). Analyses applied multivariable logistic regression, structural equation modeling, and moderated mediation, adjusting for socioeconomic and health covariates. Older adults in deprived neighborhoods had significantly lower odds of reporting high social cohesion (aOR=0.74; 95% CI: 0.63–0.86) and higher levels of depressive symptoms (β=0.12; SE=0.01). Depression mediated the impact of deprivation on cognition (indirect effect β=−0.40; SE=0.02), with stronger effects among economically disadvantaged households (interaction β=−0.03; SE=0.01). Housing conditions showed a graded relationship with physical health: compared to those in good-quality housing, odds of sarcopenia were 22% higher in medium-quality housing (OR=1.22; 95% CI: 1.11–1.33) and 60% higher in poor-quality housing (OR=1.60; 95% CI: 1.43–1.79). Built and social environments jointly shape ageing outcomes in India. Improving housing and neighborhood conditions while strengthening community cohesion and mental health support could reduce inequities and promote healthy ageing in India.

Authors:
Soumen Barik, International Institute for Population Sciences, India
Dewaram A. Nagdeve, International Institute for Population Sciences, India
Priyanka Patel, Newcomb Institute Tulane University, United States
Mayank Singh, KAHER, India

About the Presenter(s)
Mr. Soumen Barik is a PhD scholar at the International Institute for Population Sciences. His research focuses on son preference in India. He has a strong interest in demographic studies, population research, cricket, and swimming.

See this presentation on the full schedule – Thursday Schedule

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