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Title: |
The impact of socioeconomic inequalities and lack of health insurance on physical functioning among middle-aged and older adults in the United States. |
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Reference: |
Health and Social Care in the Community, 20(1), January 2012, pp.42-51. |
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ISSN paper: |
0966-0410 |
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ISSN online: |
1365-2524 |
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Abstract: |
Socioeconomic inequalities and lack of private health insurance are significant contributors to health disparities in the United States. As people age, the negative impact of these inequalities on health may increase. The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of socioeconomic inequalities and lack of private health insurance on physical functioning, as measured by activities of daily living, and its rate of change over time. Data were obtained from a longitudinal panel study of individuals over 50 years, the Health and Retirement Study (1994–2006). The sample used for this analysis was 6519 black and white adults who provided in-depth information about health, socioeconomic, financial and health insurance information. The results showed that higher level of income and assets and having private health insurance significantly predicted better physical functioning. In particular, decline in physical functioning was slower among those who had private health insurance. Changes in economic status had a greater impact on women’s physical functioning than on men’s. Black adults did not suffer more rapid declines in physical functioning than white adults after controlling for socioeconomic status. The article concludes that economic security and affordable health insurance should be enhanced to reduce these disparities in physical functioning. |
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Format: |
article; |
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Topics: |
activities of daily living; black and minority ethnic people; equal opportunities; gender; health inequalities; health insurance; longitudinal studies; older people; socioeconomic groups; |
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Record ID: |
www.scie-socialcareonline.org.uk/profile.asp?guid=e33cfcdf-d3c1-47ab-ab8a-42c4bfb67def |
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