Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Molly Rosenberg, Associate Professor of Epidemiology, Indiana University
Published on 2024-02-06 15:20:45
South Africa’s social grant system provides financial assistance to nearly half of the country’s 60 million people, with grants ranging from child support to pensions. These grants were largely introduced or expanded in the 1990s to cover the full population, making it one of the most comprehensive social grant systems in the global south. The positive effects of these grants include improvements in child nutrition, education, and increased participation of women in the labor force. However, while the effects on various demographics have been extensively studied, the impact on the health of older adults had not been thoroughly explored until recently.
Recent studies conducted as part of an extensive research project in a rural part of South Africa have shown that social grants can significantly improve the cognitive health and longevity of older South Africans. The studies, conducted on a sample of 5,059 adults aged 40 and older in rural Mpumalanga province, yielded consistently positive results.
Utilizing data from the Agincourt Health and Demographic Surveillance System and other research platforms, the studies analyzed the impact of cash transfer programs on cognitive health and longevity. The results revealed that receiving cash transfers led to better cognitive health and lower dementia probability in the later years. Additionally, the expansion of the older person’s grant eligibility for men and the child support grant income for women were associated with improved cognitive function in later life.
These findings provide good news for South Africa, as the population continues to age. The studies suggest that sustaining investments in social grant programs will result in better health and well-being for the country’s older adults. As South Africa prepares for an aging population in the coming decades, the results highlight the potential benefits of these programs and the importance of continued support and investment.
