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Socio-economic disparity in the occurrence of disability among older adults in six low and middle income countries
- Authors:
- RAHMAN Mohammad Hifz Ur, SINGH Ashish
- Journal article citation:
- International Journal of Human Rights in Healthcare, 12(1), 2019, pp.60-75.
- Publisher:
- Emerald
Purpose: Nearly 200m people in the world experience considerable functioning difficulties. Also, more than three-fourth of the population aged 50 years and over is suffering from some kind of disability in India, China, Ghana, Russia, Mexico and South Africa. Despite the compelling nature of this issue, evidence on socioeconomic disparity in the occurrence of disability is lacking throughout the world and particularly in the aforementioned countries. The purpose of this paper is twofold – first, to examine the socioeconomic inequalities in the prevalence of disability in the selected countries; and second, to investigate the cross-country differentials in the prevalence of disability by socioeconomic characteristics. Design/methodology/approach: The authors use data from the Study on Global Ageing and Adult Health (SAGE) conducted in China, Ghana, India, Mexico, Russia and South Africa during 2007–2010. Disability scores have been constructed using Item Response Theory Partial Credit Model based on eight health and functioning domains. Bivariate analysis, concentration curves, concentration indices and multivariate regressions have been used in the analysis presented in this paper. Findings: The authors find that the prevalence of disability varied considerably across sociodemographic groups. Moreover, this variation is not uniform across all countries. Also, age, Sex, work status, years of schooling and economic status emerged out as significant predictors of disability among the studied countries. Originality/value: This is perhaps the first study which examines the socioeconomic inequality in disability conceptualized in a comprehensive manner among older adults spread across low to upper middle income countries. The alarming level of prevalence of disability among sociodemographic disadvantage groups calls for immediate attention in terms of detailed study of risk factors, effective policy and timely intervention. (Publisher abstract)
Social network and health: a comparison of Chinese older adults in Shanghai and elderly immigrants in Boston
- Authors:
- WU Bei, et al
- Journal article citation:
- International Journal of Social Welfare, 20(S1), October 2011, pp.S59-S71.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
The aim of this study was to examine self-rated health status and functional limitations in Chinese immigrants in the United States and Chinese elders in China and the impact of social networks (living arrangements and frequency of contact with family members and friends) on their health outcomes. The researchers used questionnaires to gather information from 177 Chinese immigrants in Boston and 428 Shanghai residents, all aged 60 years and older. This article describes the methods, measures and analysis, and sets out the results. These showed that Chinese immigrants in Boston had a significantly better self-reported health status but that they reported a greater number of functional limitations. The study also found that although the social networks differed among respondents in Shanghai and in Boston, the impact of social networks on health status was similar for the 2 samples. The authors discuss their findings and the implications, and suggest that further research would be useful.
Depressive symptoms and health problems among Chinese immigrant elders in the US and Chinese elders in China
- Authors:
- WU Bei, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Aging and Mental Health, 14(6), August 2010, pp.695-704.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
This study examined whether depressive symptoms differed between Chinese immigrant elders in the USA and their counterparts in China and whether health conditions were associated with depressive symptoms in the two samples. Depression and health information was collected from 177 Chinese immigrant elders in Boston in 2000, and from 428 elders in Shanghai in 2003 with similar levels of education and similar gender distribution as the Boston sample. The results showed that, compared to their counterparts in China, immigrants had a significantly lower score on the depression scale used and were also physically healthier and had healthier lifestyle behaviours. The researchers concluded that the study provides some evidence that Chinese immigrant elders might be more resilient than elders in Shanghai despite many challenges they face after moving abroad.
Participation in productive activities and health outcomes among older adults in urban China
- Authors:
- LI Yawen, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Gerontologist, 54(5), 2014, pp.784-796.
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
Purpose of the Study: This study examined whether participating in productive activities was associated with better health outcomes among older adults in urban China, including analysis of potential gender differences. Design and Methods: Using a sample of 10,016 urban Chinese adults aged 60 years or older from the 2006 Sample Survey of the Aged Population in Urban/Rural China, we regressed measures of self-rated health, functional health, and depression on productive activities (paid employment, helping with family, and volunteering), controlling for sociodemographic variables. Results: Those who provided assistance to family members or volunteered had significantly lower levels of depression and better functional and self-rated health than their counterparts. Older adults with paid job, providing family assistance, or volunteering reported significantly lower levels of depression and better functional and self-rated health than those without those activities. However, only older men with paid employment reported significantly less depression, and the effect of family assistance on functional health also differed by gender. Implications: As research increasingly demonstrates the role of productive activities in maintaining health among older adults, our findings can help practitioners or policy makers strategically select or develop health programs to promote productive activities among older adults in urban China. (Publisher abstract)
Relationship between productive activities, family relations, and aging well for elders in China
- Authors:
- MJELDE-MOSSEY Lee Ann, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Ethnic and Cultural Diversity in Social Work, 18(4), October 2009, pp.276-292.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- Philadelphia, USA
By understanding how culture interacts with aging well social workers can enhance their cultural competence in practice, policy and research. This study explored determinants of aging well in elders in China. In traditional Chinese culture, elders have assumed a socially integrated and productive social role within the family; paralleling the active engagement domain of the Rowe and Kahn model of successful aging. However, this model focuses on health and physical functioning with less emphasis on psychosocial aspects such as culture. The authors tests the strength of the relationship between two variables representative of Chinese aging traditions, productive activity and family relations, and the two indicators of aging well, self-rated health and depression. In home interviews were conducted with 1,502 randomly selected Chinese elders aged 60 or over from three different regions. Two hierarchical regression models were tested. Step one used age, gender, marital status, financial adequacy, living alone, and reading ability. Step two added the active engagement variables of productive activity and family relations. Each model was significant at both steps with an inverse association for depression and a positive association for self-rated health. The authors suggest that despite rapid modernisation, family mobility and loss of traditional values, Chinese elders have not been completely marginalised and younger generations still have an imperative to provide support. However they suggest that elders will be challenged to create new pathways to remaining socially integrated and contributory.
Elderly care: a world perspective
- Editor:
- TOUT Ken
- Publisher:
- Chapman and Hall
- Publication year:
- 1993
- Pagination:
- 240p.,bibliog.
- Place of publication:
- London
Contains examples of successful service provision for older people from 40 countries. The case studies are organised into the following sections: care at home; community support; empowerment; participation; fitness and well-being; income generation; environment; integrated services; mental health; training for elder care; organisation of services; and older women.