Examining the Role of Southern Context for Dementia, Disability, and Mortality Among Older US Blacks and Whites
Author Information
Author(s): Kim Jaein, Cha Hyungmin, Farina Mateo, Hayward Mark D
Primary Institution: The University of Texas Austin
Hypothesis
The role of Southern context in health risks differs between older Black and White adults.
Conclusion
Southern context significantly impacts health risks, with Black older adults showing more variability in outcomes compared to Whites.
Supporting Evidence
- Blacks have greater risks of disability, dementia, multimorbidity, and mortality compared to Whites.
- Approximately 80% of older Blacks were born in the Jim Crow South, compared to 30% of older Whites.
- Southern birth was associated with increased risk of dementia for Black older adults.
Takeaway
This study looks at how where older people grew up affects their health, especially for Black and White people. It finds that growing up in the South can lead to different health problems for these groups.
Methodology
The study used hazard models to analyze health outcomes from the Health and Retirement study data collected between 2000 and 2016.
Participant Demographics
Older Black and White adults in the United States.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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