GENDER DISPARITIES IN VISUAL DIFFICULTY AMONG OLDER ADULTS: A CROSS-NATIONAL ANALYSIS
2024

Gender Disparities in Visual Difficulty Among Older Adults

publication

Author Information

Author(s): Burns Shane, Saenz Joseph, Ehrlich Joshua

Primary Institution: University of Michigan

Hypothesis

What contextual factors drive gendered distinctions in visual difficulty among older adults across different countries?

Conclusion

The study found that gender disparities in visual difficulty among older adults vary significantly by country and are influenced by factors such as education, socioeconomic status, and health conditions.

Supporting Evidence

  • Visual difficulty reports were highest in Mexico, followed by Korea, the United States, and England.
  • In the US, women's visual difficulty was fully explained by education and socioeconomic factors.
  • In England, women's visual difficulty was partially explained by education and socioeconomic factors.
  • In Mexico, men's visual difficulty was explained by comorbidities.
  • In Korea, women's visual difficulty was explained by comorbidities and health behaviors.

Takeaway

This study looks at how men and women experience vision problems as they get older in different countries, finding that the reasons for these differences can vary.

Methodology

The study analyzed data from the Health & Retirement Study international family of studies, focusing on respondents aged 55-89 from the US, England, Mexico, and Korea.

Participant Demographics

Respondents aged 55-89 from the United States, England, Mexico, and Korea.

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1093/geroni/igae098.2151

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