Citation

Fuller-Thomson E, Nuru-Jeter A, Minkler M, Guralnik JM. J. Aging Health 2009; 21(5): 677-698.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2009, SAGE Publishing)

DOI

10.1177/0898264309338296

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Objectives: To explore the impact of adjusting for income and education on disparities in functional limitations and limitations in activities of daily living (ADLs) between Black and White older Americans. Method: Data from the 2003 American Community Survey were used to examine the associations of education and income, stratified by race and gender, with functional limitations and ADLs, in a sample of 16,870 non-Hispanic Blacks and 186,086 non-Hispanic Whites aged 55 to 74. Sequential logistic regressions were used to examine the relative contribution of income and education to racial disparities. Results: Ninety percent of the Black—White difference in disability rates for men and 75% of the difference for women aged 55 to 64 were explained by income and education. Discussion: The greatly elevated risk of disability among Blacks aged 55 to 74 is largely explained by differences in socioeconomic status. Reductions in Black—White health disparities require a better understanding of the mechanisms whereby lower income and education are associated with functional outcomes in older persons.