Proposed SNAP Cuts Could Threaten Prevention for Cognitive Decline, Dementias

Access to food assistance through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) may help slow cognitive decline in older adults, new research suggests, raising concerns that proposed cuts under the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” (OBBA) could put brain health at risk for millions of aging Americans.1,2

Data from a 10-year study, presented at the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference (AAIC) 2025, underscore the impact of social determinants of health (SDOH) on long-term cognitive well-being and critical discussions about potential federal budget changes to assistance programs.1

Past research has suggested that food insecurity, which was known to negatively affect cognitive function, was mitigated by SNAP’s role in improving participants’ diets and nutrition intake. | Image credit: Orawan - stock.adobe.com

“Research has shown that food insecurity can negatively impact cognitive function, and this is one of the first long-term studies to show that food assistance programs can positively impact cognition,” said María C. Carrillo, PhD, chief science officer and medical affairs lead at the Alzheimer’s Association. “Simple, everyday actions can make a difference in brain health and may even lower the risk of Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. The Alzheimer’s Association is committed to helping all people build these habits into their daily lives, including eating right.”

The new analysis, which compared SNAP participants to eligible non-participants, revealed that individuals receiving SNAP benefits experienced a 0.10% slower decline in overall cognitive function over a decade. This difference translated to maintaining an average of 2 to 3 additional years of cognitive health for participants. Past research has suggested that food insecurity, which was known to negatively affect cognitive function, was mitigated by SNAP’s role in improving participants’ diets and nutrition intake.3,4

Researchers looked at a diverse group of adults aged 50 and older, comparing 1131 people who were enrolled in SNAP in 2010 (average age of 63 years) with 1216 people who were eligible but didn’t sign up (average age of 66 years).1 Every 2 years from 2010 to 2020, participants took part in phone or online interviews to test their memory and executive function—the mental skills needed to plan and complete tasks. Anyone who showed signs of cognitive impairment or dementia at the start (a score of 11 or lower out of 27) was not included.

The difference in cognitive decline between the 2 groups was just 0.10 points per year, but researchers say that small gap could really add up. “For someone starting with healthy cognition, this slower decline could delay the onset of mild cognitive impairment by nearly 10 years,” said lead author Linlin Da, MPH, a PhD candidate in health services research at the University of Georgia.

SDOH, Social Programs, and Mitigating Cognitive Decline

The present study reinforced the understanding that health outcomes, including cognitive function and the risk of Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias (ADRDs), were influenced by SDOH.3,4 SDOH encompassed the conditions in which people were born, lived, worked, and aged, alongside broader societal forces.3 Key categories included economic stability, education, social and community context, health and health care, and neighborhood and built environment. Research has shown that unfavorable SDOH factors, particularly when accumulated, were linked to decreased cognitive performance.3,4 Specifically, lower socioeconomic status and less education were associated with a higher incidence of ADRDs and accelerated cognitive decline.3 Food insecurity in early and late life was also tied to a higher risk of ADRD diagnosis and poorer executive function.4

Additionally, unemployment and manual labor were associated with cognitive declines and a higher risk of ADRDs, and economically disadvantaged neighborhoods and limited health care access were linked to higher ADRD risk and cognitive impairment.3

The recent findings from the AAIC were presented amidst significant federal budget discussions in the US House of Representatives.1,2 The OBBA proposed substantial reductions, including at least $880 billion in Medicaid cuts and $230 billion in SNAP cuts over the next decade, totaling over $1.1 trillion.5

Experts indicated that these potential cuts could trigger severe and widespread repercussions across states:5

• More than 1 million jobs could be lost nationwide by 2026, including nearly half a million health care jobs and tens of thousands in food-related industries.
• States’ gross domestic products (GDPs) could fall by $113 billion in 2026.
• State and local tax revenues would plummet by an estimated $8.8 billion.

From a public health standpoint, experts suggested that nearly 20 million people could lose their health insurance, with significant impacts on Medicaid and Affordable Care Act (ACA) programs.6 New work requirements and frequent renewal challenges were cited as factors that could cause millions to lose coverage, even if they were working or exempt. Rural communities, often facing higher poverty rates and existing provider shortages, were identified as particularly vulnerable, with potential hospital closures and increased hardship.8 Vulnerable populations, including seniors and children, who heavily relied on these programs for essential care and nutrition, could face increased hunger, poorer health outcomes, and significant financial strain.

The new AAIC study illustrated how programs like SNAP functioned not just as safety nets but as crucial investments in cognitive health and broader public well-being.1 Conversely, the proposed budget changes could dismantle these vital supports, potentially leading to severe economic instability, widespread job losses, and a significant deterioration in health outcomes, which would exacerbate existing health disparities.5,7

Representatives from the Georgetown Center on Poverty and Inequality echoed this sentiment, calling on policymakers to take action to prevent resources from being taken away from vulnerable populations and contributing to the growing health care access problem.8 “Our country has the resources to make sure everyone can count on the basics. Strengthening SNAP and Medicaid means stronger families, healthier communities, and a more just economy.”

References

1. SNAP benefits linked to slower cognitive decline, 10-year study finds. News release. Alzheimer’s Association International Conference. July 30, 2025. Accessed July 30, 2025. https://aaic.alz.org/releases-2025/snap-nutrition-program-linked-slower-cognitive-decline.asp

2. Grossi G. Trump’s budget and tax proposals mark historic shift in us approach to health care policy. AJMC®. June 6, 2025. Accessed July 30, 2025. https://www.ajmc.com/view/trump-s-budget-and-tax-proposals-mark-historic-shift-in-us-approach-to-health-care-policy

3. Majoka M, Schimming C. Effect of social determinants of health on cognition and risk of Alzheimer disease and related dementias. Clin Ther. 2021;43(6):922-929. doi:10.1016/j.clinthera.2021.05.005

4. Yang ZG, Sun X, Han X, Wang X, Wang L. Relationship between social determinants of health and cognitive performance in an older American population: a cross-sectional NHANES study. BMC Geriatr. 2025;25:25. doi:10.1186/s12877-024-05672-0

5. Ku L, Kwon KN, Nketiah L, Gorak T, Krips M, Cordes JJ. How potential federal cuts to Medicaid and SNAP could trigger the loss of a million-plus jobs, reduced economic activity, and less state revenue. The Commonwealth Fund. March 25, 2025.Accessed July 30, 2025. https://www.commonwealthfund.org/publications/issue-briefs/2025/mar/how-cuts-medicaid-snap-could-trigger-job-loss-state-revenue

6. Bonavitacola J. Experts highlight consequences of Medicaid rollbacks due to budget bill. AJMC. July 10, 2025. Accessed July 30, 2025. https://www.ajmc.com/view/experts-highlight-consequences-of-medicaid-rollbacks-due-to-budget-bill

7. Sheppard S, Grant K, Wilson S. SNAP & Medicaid cuts: what is at stake for children, seniors, & rural communities? Georgetown Center on Poverty and Inequality. April 2025. Accessed July 30, 2025. https://www.georgetownpoverty.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/GCPI-SNAP-Medicaid-Cuts-Fact-Sheet-20250428.pdf

8. Trisi D, Hipple L. Food, health care, & tax cuts: unfair trade-offs that hurt us all. Georgetown Center on Poverty and Inequality. June 2025. Accessed July 30, 2025. https://www.georgetownpoverty.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Unfair_Tradeoffs_June2025.pdf