HOW DO HEALTH AND MARITAL STATUS SHOCKS AFFECT DISPARITIES AT OLDER AGES?
2024
Impact of Health and Marital Shocks on Older Adults
publication
Author Information
Author(s): Richard Johnson
Primary Institution: Urban Institute, Washington, District of Columbia, United States
Hypothesis
How do health and marital status shocks affect disparities at older ages?
Conclusion
Health and marital shocks are common among older adults and significantly impact household wealth.
Supporting Evidence
- 70 percent of adults over 65 develop substantial long-term service needs.
- 28 percent of older adults enter a nursing home.
- 51 percent develop a major medical condition.
- 29 percent become widowed after age 65.
- Black and Hispanic adults generally experience health and marital shocks at younger ages.
Takeaway
When older people get sick or lose their spouse, it can really change how much money they have.
Methodology
The study uses data from the Health and Retirement Study from 1995 to 2020 to analyze the effects of health and marital shocks on household wealth.
Participant Demographics
The study compares outcomes by race/ethnicity, noting that Black and Hispanic adults experience shocks at younger ages than non-Hispanic white adults.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
Want to read the original?
Access the complete publication on the publisher's website