Socioeconomic Position and Mobility Impairment in the Elderly
Author Information
Author(s): Cheryl K Nordstrom, Ana V Diez Roux, Richard Schulz, Mary N Haan, Sharon A Jackson, Jennifer L Balfour
Primary Institution: Wayne State University
Hypothesis
Are personal socioeconomic position factors and neighborhood characteristics associated with incident mobility impairment in the elderly?
Conclusion
Lower socioeconomic position is linked to a higher risk of mobility impairment among independent-living elderly individuals.
Supporting Evidence
- Lower income and education levels were associated with increased hazards of mobility impairment.
- Neighborhood characteristics also played a role in the development of mobility impairment.
- Findings were consistent across different race and gender groups, although weaker for Black men.
Takeaway
If you have less money or education, you might have a harder time moving around as you get older.
Methodology
Data from the Cardiovascular Health Study, a longitudinal study of adults aged 65 and older, was analyzed to assess the relationship between socioeconomic factors and mobility impairment.
Potential Biases
Self-reporting of mobility may lead to misclassification, and the study's design may not capture all relevant neighborhood characteristics.
Limitations
The study may underestimate the relationship between socioeconomic factors and mobility due to survivorship bias and limited sample size for certain demographics.
Participant Demographics
Participants were elderly individuals aged 65 and older, with a diverse representation of races, including Whites and Blacks.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.05
Confidence Interval
CL 1.39–3.05 for income among men
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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