The impact of multidimensional energy poverty on the cognitive abilities of middle-aged and older adults: evidence from China

Energy poverty is a global challenge with significant consequences for individual well-being. Using data from the China Family Panel Studies, this paper investigates the impact of energy poverty on the cognitive abilities of middle-aged and older adults, exploring its mediating and moderating mechanisms. The study reveals four main findings. First, after controlling for a comprehensive set of individual, household, and social-level factors, energy poverty is found to have a significant negative impact on the cognitive abilities of middle-aged and older adults. Second, this negative impact remains robust after addressing potential endogeneity using an instrumental variable approach and conducting a series of robustness checks. Third, the primary pathways through which energy poverty affects cognition are twofold: it undermines physical health, which in turn impairs cognitive function, and it damages psychological health, which also leads to cognitive decline. Fourth, the study finds that regular physical exercise can moderate the adverse effects of energy poverty on cognitive abilities. This research provides a valuable reference for developing policies aimed at alleviating energy poverty and improving the cognitive health of aging populations.