scholarly journals Blacks’ Diminished Health Returns of Educational Attainment: Health and Retirement Study

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. e000212
Author(s):  
Shervin Assari
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Educational Attainment ◽  
Black Americans ◽  
Education Level ◽  
Education Quality ◽  
White Americans ◽  
Highly Educated ◽  
Nationally Representative ◽  
Retirement Study ◽  
Hispanic White

Background: Education level reduces the risk of health problems such as poor self-rated health (SRH), high body mass index (BMI), and depressive symptoms (DS). Marginalization – related Diminished Returns (MDRs), however, refer to smaller health benefits of socioeconomic status (SES) indicators particularly educational attainment for the members of racial minority groups such as non-Hispanic Blacks compared to the majority group (non-Hispanic Whites). It is not known, however, if MDRs also hold for middle-age and older adults over a long period of time.  Aims: The current study used a nationally representative data set to explore racial variation in the predictive utility of baseline education level on protecting people against poor SRH, BMI, and DS.  Methods: Data for this analysis were borrowed from the Health and Retirement Study (HRS 1992-ongoing), a nationally representative longitudinal study that followed 10,023 middle-aged and older adults (50+ years old) for up to 26 years. From this number, 1877 (18.7%) were non-Hispanic Black Americans, and 8,146 (81.3%) were non-Hispanic White Americans. Education level was the independent variable. We used cluster analysis to categorize individuals to low and high-risk groups (outcome) based on SRH, BMI, and DS over 26 years. Age and gender were the covariates. Race was the moderator.  Results: Overall, high education level reduced the odds of poor SRH, BMI, and DS over the 26 years of follow up. Interactions were observed between race and education on all three health outcomes indicating smaller protective effects of baseline educational attainment on poor health over time, regardless of the outcome.  Conclusions: In line with the MDRs, highly educated non-Hispanic Black Americans remain at high risk for poor health across domains, a risk which is unexpected given their education. The risk of all health outcomes, however, is lowest for non-Hispanic White Americans with highest education. Policies that exclusively focus on equalizing racial gaps in SES (e.g., education) may fail to eliminate the racial and ethnic health inequalities because of the racial inequalities in the marginal health return of education. Public policies must equalize education quality and address structural and environmental barriers that are disproportionately more common in the lives of non-Hispanic Black Americans, even at high education levels. Future research should test how contextual factors, segregation, labor market practices, childhood poverty, and education quality reduces the health return of education for highly educated non-Hispanic Black Americans.

scholarly journals Combined Effects of Ethnicity and Education on Burden of Depressive Symptoms over 24 Years in Middle-Aged and Older Adults in the United States

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 209
Author(s):  
Shervin Assari
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Ethnic Minorities ◽  
White Americans ◽  
Middle Aged ◽  
Highly Educated ◽  
Education Levels ◽  
Nationally Representative ◽  
Hispanic White

Ethnicity and educational attainment are among the major social determinants of depression in the general population. While high education credentials protect individuals against depressive symptoms, this protection may be weaker for ethnic minority groups such as Hispanic Whites compared to the majority group (non-Hispanic Whites). Built on marginalization-related diminished returns (MDRs), the current study used 24-year follow-up data from a nationally representative sample of middle-aged and older adults to explore ethnic variation in the protective effect of education levels against the burden of depressive symptoms over time. Data for this analysis were borrowed from the Health and Retirement Study (HRS 1992–ongoing), a nationally representative longitudinal study. HRS followed 8314 middle-aged and older adults (50+ years old) for up to 24 years. From this number, 763 (9.2%) were Hispanic White, and 7551 (90.8%) were non-Hispanic White Americans. Education level was the independent variable. We had two outcomes. Firstly, using cluster analysis, individuals were categorized to low- and high-risk groups (regarding the burden of depressive symptoms over 24 years); secondly, average depressive symptoms were observed over the 24 years of follow up. Age and gender were the covariates. Ethnicity was the moderator. Linear and logistic regression were used for analysis. Logistic regression showed that, overall, high educational credentials reduced the odds of chronic depressive symptoms over the 24 years of follow-up. Linear regression also showed that higher years of education were associated with lower average depressive symptoms over time. Both models showed statistically significant interactions between ethnicity and graduation, indicating a smaller protective effect of high education against depressive symptoms over the 24 years of follow-up time among Hispanic with respect to non-Hispanic White people. In line with the MDRs, highly educated Hispanic White Americans remain at high risk for depressive symptoms, a risk that is unexpected given their education. The burden of depressive symptoms, however, is lowest for highly educated non-Hispanic White Americans. Policies that exclusively focus on equalizing educational gaps across ethnic groups may fail to eliminate the ethnic gap in the burden of chronic depressive symptoms, given the diminished marginal health return of education for ethnic minorities. Public policies must equalize not only education but also educational quality across ethnic groups. This aim would require addressing structural and environmental barriers that are disproportionately more common in the lives of ethnic minorities across education levels. Future research should test how contextual factors, residential segregation, school segregation, labor market practices, childhood poverty, and education quality in urban schools reduce the health return of educational attainment for highly educated ethnic minorities such as Hispanics.

scholarly journals TRAJECTORIES OF SUBJECTIVE MEMORY IMPAIRMENT AND OBJECTIVE COGNITIVE DECLINE IN U.S. OLDER ADULTS

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S205-S205
Author(s):  
Hanzhang Xu ◽  
Matthew E Dupre ◽  
Bei Wu
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Cognitive Decline ◽  
Memory Impairment ◽  
Subjective Memory ◽  
Subjective Memory Impairment ◽  
Logistic Regressions ◽  
Dual Trajectories ◽  
Nationally Representative ◽  
Low Educated ◽  
Retirement Study

Abstract We examined the dual trajectories of subjective memory impairment (SMI) and objective cognitive decline and their associated factors in U.S. older adults. We used data from the Health and Retirement Study which includes a nationally representative sample of 19,408 Americans age 65 and older from 1998 to 2016. Trajectories of SMI and objective cognitive decline were simultaneously characterized using a group-based trajectory model and multinomial logistic regressions were used to assess factors associated with the dual-trajectory typologies. Four dual-trajectories were identified: “minimal SMI and stable-low cognitive decline” (33.1% of respondents); “minimal SMI with accelerated cognitive decline” (28.2%); “significant SMI with moderate cognitive decline” (21.0%); and “moderate SMI with steady cognitive decline” (17.6%). Being male, minority, low educated, living alone, and having comorbidities were associated with trajectories featuring greater SMI or more rapid deterioration in cognition. The results suggest complex co-occurring changes in subjective memory and objective cognition in older adults.

Dietary lutein and zeaxanthin are associated with working memory in an older population

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Krystle E Zuniga ◽  
Nicholas J Bishop ◽  
Alexandria S Turner
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Panel Study ◽  
Leafy Vegetables ◽  
Word Recall ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Nutrition Study ◽  
Nationally Representative ◽  
Sectional Analysis ◽  
Analytic Models ◽  
Retirement Study

Abstract Objective: The purpose of the study was to examine the association between dietary lutein and zeaxanthin (L + Z) intake and immediate word recall (IWR) and delayed word recall (DWR), and to identify the major contributors to dietary L + Z intake in a recent and representative sample of the older US population. Design: In this cross-sectional analysis, multivariate path analytic models estimated the association between L + Z consumption and cognitive performance while adjusting for covariates. Setting: Observations were drawn from the 2014 Health and Retirement Study, a nationally representative panel study of older US adults, and the 2013 Health Care and Nutrition Study, which assessed dietary intake via FFQ in a subsample of respondents. Participants: The analytic sample included 6390 respondents aged ≥50 years. Results: L + Z intake was 2·44 ± 2·32 mg/d on average, and L + Z intake differed significantly across quartiles (P < 0·001). For example, average L + Z intake in Q1 was 0·74 ± 0·23 mg/d and in Q4 was 5·46 ± 2·88 mg/d. In covariate adjusted models, older adults in the highest quartiles of L + Z intake had significantly greater IWR and DWR scores than those in the lowest quartile. Leafy vegetables, cruciferous vegetables, dark yellow vegetables, fish and seafood, legumes, eggs and fruit were significant and meaningful predictors of dietary L + Z intake. Conclusion: A high consumption of vegetables, fish and seafood, legumes, eggs and fruit is associated with a higher intake of L + Z and greater word recall among older adults.

Satisfaction with aging results in reduced risk for falling

2015 ◽  
Vol 28 (5) ◽  
pp. 741-747 ◽  
Author(s):  
Liat Ayalon
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Walking Speed ◽  
Functional Decline ◽  
Psychosocial Interventions ◽  
Protective Mechanism ◽  
Gender Education ◽  
Falls In Older Adults ◽  
Nationally Representative ◽  
Retirement Study

ABSTRACTBackground:Falls are highly frequent in older adults and are associated with increased morbidity and mortality. The present study was designed to assess the role of satisfaction with one's aging process as a predictor of the risk for falling over a four-year period and to identify potential mediators of this relationship.Methods:The Health and Retirement Study (HRS) is a US nationally representative sample of individuals over the age of 50 years and their spouse of any age. The present study was based on the 2008–2012 waves of the HRS. Analyses were restricted to 4,121 respondents over the age of 50 years, who had fall data in 2008 and 2012 and were eligible to complete the satisfaction with aging measure as part of the 2008 psychosocial questionnaire.Results:Overall, 38.1% of the sample reported having fallen at least once between 2006 and 2008 and 40.7% reported having fallen at least once between 2010 and 2012. Higher levels of satisfaction with aging in 2008 were found to be protective against falls assessed in 2012 (OR[95%CI] = 0.88[0.79–0.98]) even after adjustment for age, gender, education, ethnicity, medical status, functional status, cognitive functioning, walking speed, balance, vision, depressive symptoms, physical activities, and past falls. Bootstrap procedures have shown that the effect of satisfaction with aging on falls is partially accounted for through its effect on functional decline.Conclusions:The findings point to the important role of satisfaction with aging as a potential protective mechanism against falls. The results call for the development of psychosocial interventions to reduce falls in older adults.

Arthritis, Depression, and Falls Among Community-Dwelling Older Adults: Evidence From the Health and Retirement Study

2016 ◽  
Vol 37 (9) ◽  
pp. 1133-1149 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lien T. Quach ◽  
Jeffrey A. Burr
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Health Care Providers ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Health And Retirement Study ◽  
Depression Symptoms ◽  
Care Providers ◽  
Significant Depression ◽  
Nationally Representative ◽  
Clinically Significant ◽  
Retirement Study

The aims of this study were to examine the association between different types of arthritis and falls and to investigate whether clinically significant depression symptoms (CSDS) moderate these relationships. The study used nationally representative data from the 2008 Health and Retirement Study ( n = 7,715, M age = 75, 62% female, and 90% White). Among the respondents, 42% experienced at least one fall during the previous 2 years. About one third had some form of arthritis: 22% osteoarthritis (OA), 4.8% rheumatoid arthritis (RA), 2.3% both OA and RA, and 7.9% with other arthritis types. About one fifth of respondents had CSDS. OA and CSDS are associated with the odds of falling (17% and 29%, respectively), adjusting for socio-demographic characteristics, lifestyle, health conditions, and psychiatric medications. There was no statistically significant interaction between types of arthritis and CSDS. Health care providers should pay attention to managing arthritis, especially OA, and CSDS to prevent falls among older adults.

Predictors of Emergency Preparedness Among Older Adults in the United States

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sue Anne Bell ◽  
Dianne Singer ◽  
Erica Solway ◽  
Mattias Kirch ◽  
Jeffrey Kullgren ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Emergency Preparedness ◽  
The United States ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Power Outage ◽  
Evacuation Plans ◽  
Nationally Representative ◽  
Community Dwelling Older Adults ◽  
Hispanic White

ABSTRACT Objectives: Emergency preparedness becomes more important with increased age, as older adults are at heightened risk for harm from disasters. In this study, predictors of preparedness actions and confidence in preparedness among older adults in the United States were assessed. Methods: This nationally representative survey polled community-dwelling older adults ages 50-80 y (n = 2256) about emergency preparedness and confidence in addressing different types of emergencies. Logistic regression was used to identify predictors of reported emergency preparedness actions and confidence in addressing emergencies. Results: Participants’ mean age was 62.4 y (SD = 8); 52% were female, and 71% were non-Hispanic white. Living alone was associated with lower odds of having a 7-d supply of food and water (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 0.74; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.56-0.96), a stocked emergency kit (aOR = 0.64; 95% CI: 0.47-0.86), and having had conversations with family or friends about evacuation plans (aOR = 0.59; 95% CI: 0.44-0.78). Use of equipment requiring electricity was associated with less confidence in addressing a power outage lasting more than 24 h (aOR = 0.66; 95% CI: 0.47-0.94), as was use of mobility aids (OR = 0.65; 95% CI: 0.45-0.93). Conclusions: These results point to the need for tailored interventions to support emergency preparedness for older adults, particularly among those who live alone and use medical equipment requiring electricity.

scholarly journals Educational Attainment and Self-Rated Oral Health among American Older Adults: Hispanics’ Diminished Returns

2019 ◽  
Vol 7 (4) ◽  
pp. 97 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shervin Assari ◽  
Mohsen Bazargan
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Oral Health ◽  
Educational Attainment ◽  
Healthy Aging ◽  
University Of Michigan ◽  
Single Item ◽  
National Poll ◽  
The Us ◽  
Nationally Representative ◽  
The University

Background: Minorities’ diminished returns (MDRs) refer to systemically weaker effects of socioeconomic status (SES), particularly educational attainment, on the health of non-Whites compared to Whites. Aim: Using a nationally representative sample, we aimed to investigate ethnic differences in the effect of SES (educational attainment) on the self-rated oral health of Hispanic older adults in the US. Methods: This study analyzed the University of Michigan National Poll on Healthy Aging (UM-NPHA) 2017 data, which included 2131 older adults who were 50 to 80 years old (202 Hispanics and 1929 non-Hispanics). Ethnicity, race, educational attainment (SES), age, gender, employment, retirement, and self-rated oral health (single item) were measured. Logistic regressions were applied for data analysis. Results: High educational attainment was associated with lower odds of poor oral health in the pooled sample, net of all covariates. The effect of educational attainment on poor self-rated oral health was found to be weaker for Hispanics than for non-Hispanics. Conclusion: We observed MDRs of educational attainment (SES) on oral health for Hispanic older adults. In other words, compared to non-Hispanics, Hispanics gain less oral health from their educational attainment (SES).

Racializing Captain America: How Racial Attitudes Affect Perceptions of Affirmative Action and Diversity Initiatives in Media

2020 ◽  
Vol 97 (3) ◽  
pp. 683-703
Author(s):  
S. R. Gubitz ◽  
Denzel Avant
Keyword(s):  
Affirmative Action ◽  
Racial Attitudes ◽  
Spillover Effects ◽  
White Americans ◽  
Representative Survey ◽  
Diversity Initiatives ◽  
Captain America ◽  
Attitudes Toward Diversity ◽  
Nationally Representative ◽  
Hispanic White

Is announcing a commitment to diversity enough to activate attitudes toward diversity initiatives? And what are the spillover effects of these programs? To address these questions, we conduct an experiment imbedded in a nationally representative survey of non-Hispanic White Americans ( n = 1,519). We inform respondents that the White actor who plays Captain America will be replaced, while varying whether there is a reference to a diversity initiative and whether the replacement is White or Black. We find that reference to diversity initiatives on its own has no effect but the action of displaying diversity affects marketplace preferences and attitudes toward diversity initiatives.

scholarly journals Physical Activity and Insomnia Symptoms Over 10 Years in a U.S. National Sample of Late-Middle-Age and Older Adults: Age Matters

2020 ◽  
Vol 28 (4) ◽  
pp. 613-622
Author(s):  
Amanda Sonnega ◽  
Amanda Leggett ◽  
Renee Pepin ◽  
Shervin Assari
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Middle Age ◽  
National Sample ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Frontline Treatment ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Nationally Representative ◽  
Insomnia Symptoms ◽  
Retirement Study

Research suggests that physical activity may influence sleep, yet more research is needed before it can be considered a frontline treatment for insomnia. Less is known about how this relationship is moderated by age. Using multilevel modeling, we examined self-reported physical activity and insomnia symptoms in 18,078 respondents from the U.S. nationally representative Health and Retirement Study (2004–2014). The mean baseline age was 64.7 years, with 53.9% female. Individuals who reported more physical activity (B = −0.005, p < .001) had fewer insomnia symptoms. Over 10 years, the respondents reported fewer insomnia symptoms at times when they reported more physical activity than was average for them (B = −0.003, p < .001). Age moderated this relationship (B = 0.0002, p < .01). Although modest, these findings concur with the literature, suggesting moderate benefits of physical activity for sleep in older adults. Future research should aim to further elucidate this relationship among adults at advanced ages.

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