%0 Journal Article %J Journal of Family Issues %D Forthcoming %T Child–Parent Relationships and Older Adults’ Health: A Cross-Cultural Comparison Between China and the United States %A Lu, Peiyi %A Kong, Dexia %A Shelley, Mack %K CHARLS %K child–parent relationship %K cognitive function %K Cross-Cultural Comparison %K Depressive symptoms %K functional ability %X This study compared the associations of child?parent relationships with older adults? multidimensional health in the United States and China. Two waves of data from the US Health and Retirement Study and its sister study in China (2012?2015) were used (2174 non-Hispanic [NH] White Americans and 4467 Chinese). Linear regression models were conducted for cross-sectional and longitudinal comparisons. Results showed most child?parent relationships had nonsignificant associations with NH White Americans? health. In contrast, closer child?parent relationships were linked to fewer depressive symptoms and better cognitive function among Chinese. Co-residence was associated with poorer health among older Chinese. Over a 2-year period, living nearby was linked to poorer cognitive function among NH White Americans and fewer depressive symptoms among Chinese. Having weekly contact was predictive of better cognition among Chinese. This study revealed cross-cultural differences in the associations between child?parent relationships and older adults? health. Family relationships in accordance with Chinese culture could improve health. %B Journal of Family Issues %@ 0192-513X %G eng %R https://doi.org/10.1177/0192513X211064866 %0 Journal Article %J Journal of Aging and Health %D 2019 %T Comparisons of the Association of Family and Social Factors With Functional Limitations Across the United States, Mexico, and South Korea: Findings From the HRS Family of Surveys %A Ickpyo Hong %A Pryor, Loree %A Rebeca Wong %A Ottenbacher, Kenneth J. %A Timothy A Reistetter %K Cross-Cultural Comparison %K cross-national study %K Family %K KLoSA %K MHAS %K multiple studies %K socialization %X Objective: The association of family and social factors with the level of functional limitations was examined across the United States, Mexico, and Korea. Method: Participants included adults from the 2012 Health and Retirement Study (n = 10,017), Mexican Health and Aging Study (n = 6,367), and Korean Longitudinal Study of Aging (n = 4,134). A common functional limitation scale was created based on Rasch analysis with a higher score indicating better physical function. Results: The American older adults (3.65 logits) had better physical function compared with Mexican (2.81 logits) and Korean older adults (1.92 logits). There were different associations of family and social factors with functional limitations across the three countries. Discussion: The American older adults demonstrated less functional limitation compared with Mexican and Korean older adults at the population level. The findings indicate the need to interpret carefully the individual family and social factors associated with functional limitations within the unique context of each country. %B Journal of Aging and Health %8 2019/10/04 %@ 0898-2643 %G eng %! J Aging Health %R https://doi.org/10.1177/0898264319878549 %0 Journal Article %J J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci %D 2017 %T Hierarchy and Speed of Loss in Physical Functioning: A Comparison Across Older U.S. and English Men and Women. %A Bendayan, Rebecca %A Cooper, Rachel %A Elizabeth G Wloch %A Scott M Hofer %A Andrea M Piccinin %A Graciela Muñiz Terrera %K Activities of Daily Living %K Aged %K Aging %K Cross-Cultural Comparison %K Disability Evaluation %K Female %K Geriatric Assessment %K Health Status Disparities %K Humans %K Longitudinal Studies %K Male %K Middle Aged %K Mobility Limitation %K Self Report %K Statistics, Nonparametric %K United Kingdom %K United States %X

Background: We aimed to identify the hierarchy of rates of decline in 16 physical functioning measures in U.S. and English samples, using a systematic and integrative coordinated data analysis approach.

Methods: The U.S. sample consisted of 13,612 Health and Retirement Study participants, and the English sample consisted of 5,301 English Longitudinal Study of Ageing participants. Functional loss was ascertained using self-reported difficulties performing 6 activities of daily living and 10 mobility tasks. The variables were standardized, rates of decline were computed, and mean rates of decline were ranked. Mann-Whitney U tests were performed to compare rates of decline between studies.

Results: In both studies, the rates of decline followed a similar pattern; difficulty with eating was the activity that showed the slowest decline and climbing several flights of stairs and stooping, kneeling, or crouching the fastest declines. There were statistical differences in the speed of decline in all 16 measures between countries. American women had steeper declines in 10 of the measures than English women. Similar differences were found between American and English men.

Conclusions: Reporting difficulties climbing several flights of stairs without resting, and stooping, kneeling, or crouching are the first indicators of functional loss reported in both populations.

%B J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci %V 72 %P 1117-1122 %8 2017 Aug 01 %G eng %N 8 %1 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27753610?dopt=Abstract %R 10.1093/gerona/glw209 %0 Journal Article %J J Aging Health %D 2016 %T A Comparison of Educational Differences on Physical Health, Mortality, and Healthy Life Expectancy in Japan and the United States. %A Chi-Tsun Chiu %A Mark D Hayward %A Saito, Yasuhiko %K Activities of Daily Living %K Age Distribution %K Aged %K Cause of Death %K Cross-Cultural Comparison %K Educational Status %K Employment %K Family Characteristics %K Female %K Health Status %K Health Surveys %K Healthy Lifestyle %K Humans %K Japan %K Life Expectancy %K Life Tables %K Longitudinal Studies %K Male %K Middle Aged %K Regression Analysis %K Retirement %K Sex Distribution %K United States %X

OBJECTIVE: This study examined the educational gradient of health and mortality between two long-lived populations: Japan and the United States.

METHOD: This analysis is based on the Nihon University Japanese Longitudinal Study of Aging and the Health and Retirement Study to compare educational gradients in multiple aspects of population health-life expectancy with/without disability, functional limitations, or chronic diseases, using prevalence-based Sullivan life tables.

RESULTS: Our results show that education coefficients from physical health and mortality models are similar for both Japan and American populations, and older Japanese have better mortality and health profiles.

DISCUSSION: Japan's compulsory national health service system since April 1961 and living arrangements with adult children may play an important role for its superior health profile compared with that of the United States.

%B J Aging Health %V 28 %P 1256-78 %8 2016 10 %G eng %N 7 %1 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27590801?dopt=Abstract %R 10.1177/0898264316656505 %0 Journal Article %J J Aging Health %D 2016 %T Depressed Mood in Middle-Aged and Older Adults in Europe and the United States: A Comparative Study Using Anchoring Vignettes. %A Ramin Mojtabai %K Aged %K Cross-Cultural Comparison %K depression %K Europe %K Female %K Health Surveys %K Humans %K Longitudinal Studies %K Male %K Middle Aged %K United States %X

OBJECTIVE: To compare self-ratings of depressed mood in middle-aged and older adults in the United States and nine European countries after adjustment by anchoring vignettes.

METHOD: Samples were drawn from three large surveys of middle-aged and older adults: the U.S. Health and Retirement Study, the English Longitudinal Study of Aging (ELSA), and the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe. Self-ratings of depressed mood were compared across countries before and after adjustment by anchoring vignettes depicting cases with different levels of depressed mood.

RESULTS: Compared with Europeans as a group, Americans rated both the cases presented in the vignettes and themselves as more depressed. However, after adjustment by vignette ratings, Americans appeared to be less depressed than their counterparts in all but two European countries.

DISCUSSION: Cultural differences in mental health norms reflected in vignette rating may partly explain between-country differences in self-reported depressive symptoms and perhaps other psychiatric complaints.

%B J Aging Health %I 28 %V 28 %P 95-117 %8 2016 Feb %G eng %U http://jah.sagepub.com/content/early/2015/04/22/0898264315585506.abstract %N 1 %1 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25953815?dopt=Abstract %R 10.1177/0898264315585506 %0 Journal Article %J The Journals of Gerontology: Series B %D 2016 %T Methodological Aspects of Subjective Life Expectancy: Effects of Culture-Specific Reporting Heterogeneity Among Older Adults in the United States. %A Lee, Sunghee %A Jacqui Smith %K Aged %K Aged, 80 and over %K Bias %K Cross-Cultural Comparison %K Cross-Sectional Studies %K Diagnostic Self Evaluation %K Ethnic Groups %K Female %K Frail Elderly %K Humans %K Language %K Life Expectancy %K Longitudinal Studies %K Male %K Middle Aged %K Self Report %K United States %X

OBJECTIVES: Subjective life expectancy (SLE) has been suggested as a predictor of mortality and mortality-related behaviors. Although critical for culturally diverse societies, these findings do not consider cross-cultural methodological comparability. Culture-specific reporting heterogeneity is a well-known phenomenon introducing biases, and research on this issue with SLE is not established.

METHOD: Using data from the Health and Retirement Study, we examined reporting heterogeneity in SLE focusing on item nonresponse, focal points, and reports over time for five ethnic-cultural groups: non-Hispanic Whites, non-Hispanic Blacks, non-Hispanic other races, English-interviewed Hispanics, and Spanish-interviewed Hispanics.

RESULTS: On item nonresponse, Spanish-interviewed Hispanics said, "I don't know," to SLE significantly more than any other groups. Nearly half of the respondents chose 0, 50, or 100, making them focal points. However, the focal points differed: 50 for Whites, 100 for Blacks, and 0 for Spanish-interviewed Hispanics. The relationship of SLE measured at two time points was higher for Whites than minorities. Moreover, those who said "I don't know" to SLE showed higher subsequent mortality than those who gave an answer. SLE was not a significant mortality predictor for Hispanics.

DISCUSSION: Overall, SLE is not free from culture-specific reporting heterogeneity. This warrants further research about its culture-relevant measurement mechanisms.

%B The Journals of Gerontology: Series B %I 71 %V 71 %P 558-568 %G eng %N 3 %4 Mortality predictions/Nonresponse/Racial and ethnic minorities/Reporting heterogeneity/Subjective life expectancy %$ 999999 %R 10.1093/geronb/gbv048 %0 Journal Article %J Journal of the American Geriatrics Society %D 2016 %T Racial and Ethnic Differences in End-of-Life Medicare Expenditures. %A Byhoff, Elena %A Tamara B Harris %A Kenneth M. Langa %A Theodore J Iwashyna %K African Continental Ancestry Group %K Aged %K Aged, 80 and over %K Cohort Studies %K Comorbidity %K Cross-Cultural Comparison %K Ethnic Groups %K European Continental Ancestry Group %K Female %K Health Care Surveys %K Health Expenditures %K Hispanic Americans %K Humans %K Life Support Care %K Longitudinal Studies %K Male %K Medicare %K Rate Setting and Review %K Social Support %K Socioeconomic factors %K Terminal Care %K United States %X

OBJECTIVES: To determine to what extent demographic, social support, socioeconomic, geographic, medical, and End-of-Life (EOL) planning factors explain racial and ethnic variation in Medicare spending during the last 6 months of life.

DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study.

SETTING: Health and Retirement Study (HRS).

PARTICIPANTS: Decedents who participated in HRS between 1998 and 2012 and previously consented to survey linkage with Medicare claims (N = 7,105).

MEASUREMENTS: Total Medicare expenditures in the last 180 days of life according to race and ethnicity, controlling for demographic factors, social supports, geography, illness burden, and EOL planning factors, including presence of advance directives, discussion of EOL treatment preferences, and whether death had been expected.

RESULTS: The analysis included 5,548 (78.1%) non-Hispanic white, 1,030 (14.5%) non-Hispanic black, and 331 (4.7%) Hispanic adults and 196 (2.8%) adults of other race or ethnicity. Unadjusted results suggest that average EOL Medicare expenditures were $13,522 (35%, P < .001) more for black decedents and $16,341 (42%, P < .001) more for Hispanics than for whites. Controlling for demographic, socioeconomic, geographic, medical, and EOL-specific factors, the Medicare expenditure difference between groups fell to $8,047 (22%, P < .001) more for black and $6,855 (19%, P < .001) more for Hispanic decedents than expenditures for non-Hispanic whites. The expenditure differences between groups remained statistically significant in all models.

CONCLUSION: Individuals-level factors, including EOL planning factors do not fully explain racial and ethnic differences in Medicare spending in the last 6 months of life. Future research should focus on broader systemic, organizational, and provider-level factors to explain these differences.

%B Journal of the American Geriatrics Society %V 64 %P 1789-1797 %G eng %N 9 %R 10.1111/jgs.14263 %0 Journal Article %J J Gerontol B Psychol Sci Soc Sci %D 2015 %T Cross-National Differences in Disability Among Elders: Transitions in Disability in Mexico and the United States. %A Kerstin Gerst %A Rebeca Wong %A Alejandra Michaels-Obregon %A Alberto Palloni %K Aged %K Aged, 80 and over %K Aging %K Cross-Cultural Comparison %K Disabled Persons %K Female %K Humans %K Male %K Mexico %K Middle Aged %K Mortality %K Prevalence %K United States %X

OBJECTIVES: Little is known about how exposure to a combination of infectious and chronic conditions throughout the lifecourse could impact disability in old age. This paper compares 2 cohorts of adults who have aged under very different country contexts by contrasting disability transitions among elders in Mexico with elders in the United States.

METHODS: Data comes from the Mexican Health and Aging Study (MHAS) and the U.S. Health and Retirement Study (HRS). Estimated probabilities of 2-year transitions among disability states and mortality are presented for adults aged 50 and older.

RESULTS: The levels of disability prevalence and 2 year transitions are consistent with a higher rate of disability for the United States compared to Mexico. In 2-year transitions, the U.S. sample was more likely to transition to a disabled state or increase the number of disabilities than the Mexican counterparts, while Mexicans are more likely to move out of disability or reduce the number of disabilities reported.

DISCUSSION: The findings suggest that the current rate of disability in old age is lower for a less developed country compared with a developed society. We discuss implications, possible explanations, and likely future scenarios.

%B J Gerontol B Psychol Sci Soc Sci %I 70 %V 70 %P 759-68 %8 2015 Sep %G eng %U http://psychsocgerontology.oxfordjournals.org/content/early/2015/01/28/geronb.gbu185.abstract %N 5 %1 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25633135?dopt=Abstract %2 PMC4635645 %4 Disability/Disability/Elders/Mexico/MHAS_/cross-national comparison/cross Cultural Comparison %$ 999999 %R 10.1093/geronb/gbu185 %0 Journal Article %J J Aging Soc Policy %D 2012 %T Determinants of retirement timing expectations in the United States and Australia: a cross-national comparison of the effects of health and retirement benefit policies on retirement timing decisions. %A K. A. Sargent-Cox %A Kaarin J. Anstey %A Kendig, H. %A Skladzien, E. %K Activities of Daily Living %K Age Factors %K Australia %K Cross-Cultural Comparison %K Florida %K Health Benefit Plans, Employee %K Health Status %K Humans %K Job Satisfaction %K Middle Aged %K Pensions %K Public Policy %K Retirement %K Sex Factors %K Socioeconomic factors %K Time Factors %K United States %X

Data from the U.S. Health and Retirement Study (N = 2,589) and the Australian Household Income and Labour Dynamics survey (N = 1,760) were used to compare the macro-level policy frameworks on individual retirement timing expectations for pre-baby boomers (61+ years) and early baby boomers (45 to 60 years). Australian workers reported younger expected age of retirement compared to the U.S. sample. Reporting poor health was more strongly associated with younger expected retirement age in the United States than in Australia. Cohort and gender differences in the United States were found for the effect of private health insurance on younger expected age at retirement. Our results draw attention to how cross-national comparisons can inform us on the effects of policies on retirement expectations among older workers.

%B J Aging Soc Policy %I 24 %V 24 %P 291-308 %8 2012 %G eng %N 3 %1 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22720888?dopt=Abstract %2 PMC in process %4 cross-national comparison/Australian Household Income and Labour Dynamics/retirement planning/Health insurance %$ 69588 %R 10.1080/08959420.2012.676324 %0 Journal Article %J J Gerontol B Psychol Sci Soc Sci %D 2011 %T Aging in a cultural context: cross-national differences in disability and the moderating role of personal control among older adults in the United States and England. %A Philippa J Clarke %A Jacqui Smith %K Activities of Daily Living %K Aged %K Aged, 80 and over %K Aging %K Cross-Cultural Comparison %K Culture %K Disabled Persons %K England %K Female %K Gait %K Health Status %K Humans %K Internal-External Control %K Longitudinal Studies %K Male %K Mobility Limitation %K Politics %K Social Values %K Socioeconomic factors %K United States %X

OBJECTIVES: We investigate cross-national differences in late-life health outcomes and focus on an intriguing difference in beliefs about personal control found between older adult populations in the U.K. and United States. We examine the moderating role of control beliefs in the relationship between physical function and self-reported difficulty with daily activities.

METHOD: Using national data from the United States (Health and Retirement Study) and England (English Longitudinal Study on Ageing), we examine the prevalence in disability across the two countries and show how it varies according to the sense of control. Poisson regression was used to examine the relationship between objective measures of physical function (gait speed) and disability and the modifying effects of control.

RESULTS: Older Americans have a higher sense of personal control than the British, which operates as a psychological resource to reduce disability among older Americans. However, the benefits of control are attenuated as physical impairments become more severe.

DISCUSSION: These results emphasize the importance of carefully considering cross-national differences in the disablement process as a result of cultural variation in underlying psychosocial resources. This paper highlights the role of culture in shaping health across adults aging in different sociopolitical contexts.

%B J Gerontol B Psychol Sci Soc Sci %I 66B %V 66 %P 457-67 %8 2011 Jul %G eng %N 4 %1 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21666145?dopt=Abstract %2 PMC3132269 %4 Older people/Disability/Disability/Aging/International comparisons/Self control %$ 62578 %R 10.1093/geronb/gbr054 %0 Journal Article %J Soc Sci Med %D 2011 %T Differences in health between Americans and Western Europeans: Effects on longevity and public finance. %A Pierre-Carl Michaud %A Dana P Goldman %A Darius Lakdawalla %A Adam Gailey %A Yuhui Zheng %K Activities of Daily Living %K Adult %K Aged %K Body Mass Index %K Cross-Cultural Comparison %K Disabled Persons %K Europe %K Female %K Health Expenditures %K health policy %K Health Status Disparities %K Health Surveys %K Humans %K Internationality %K Life Expectancy %K Male %K Middle Aged %K Models, Economic %K Models, Statistical %K Mortality %K Public Health %K United States %X

In 1975, 50-year-old Americans could expect to live slightly longer than most of their Western European counterparts. By 2005, American life expectancy had fallen behind that of most Western European countries. We find that this growing longevity gap is primarily due to real declines in the health of near-elderly Americans, relative to their Western European peers. We use a microsimulation approach to project what US longevity would look like, if US health trends approximated those in Western Europe. The model implies that differences in health can explain most of the growing gap in remaining life expectancy. In addition, we quantify the public finance consequences of this deterioration in health. The model predicts that gradually moving American cohorts to the health status enjoyed by Western Europeans could save up to $1.1 trillion in discounted total health expenditures from 2004 to 2050.

%B Soc Sci Med %I 73 %V 73 %P 254-63 %8 2011 Jul %G eng %N 2 %1 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21719178?dopt=Abstract %2 PMC3383030 %4 disability/disability/mortality/international comparisons/Cross-national/microsimulation/Europe/SHARE/ELSA_/longevity %$ 69616 %R 10.1016/j.socscimed.2011.05.027 %0 Journal Article %J Aging Ment Health %D 2011 %T The relationships between major lifetime discrimination, everyday discrimination, and mental health in three racial and ethnic groups of older adults. %A Liat Ayalon %A Amber M Gum %K Adaptation, Psychological %K Aged %K Aged, 80 and over %K Asian %K Black or African American %K Cross-Cultural Comparison %K depression %K Discrimination, Psychological %K ethnicity %K Hispanic or Latino %K Humans %K Longitudinal Studies %K Mental Health %K Middle Aged %K Personal Satisfaction %K Prejudice %K Prevalence %K Social Perception %K Socioeconomic factors %K Surveys and Questionnaires %K United States %K White People %X

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the relationships between perceived exposure to major lifetime discrimination, everyday discrimination, and mental health in three racial/ethnic groups of older adults.

DESIGN: The Health and Retirement Study is a nationally representative sample of individuals 50 years and older living in the United States. A total of 6455 Whites, 716 Latinos, and 1214 Blacks were eligible to complete a self-report psychosocial questionnaire in the year 2006.

RESULTS: Whereas 30% of the general population reported at least one type of major lifetime discrimination, almost 45% of Black older adults reported such discrimination. Relative to the other two racial/ethnic groups (82% Whites, 82.6% Blacks), Latinos were significantly less likely to report any everyday discrimination (64.2%), whereas Blacks reported the greatest frequency of everyday discrimination. Whites reported the highest levels of life satisfaction and the lowest levels of depressive symptoms. Relative to major lifetime discrimination, everyday discrimination had a somewhat stronger correlation with mental health indicators. The relationships between discrimination and mental health outcomes were stronger for White compared to Black older adults, although everyday discrimination was still significantly associated with outcomes for Black older adults.

CONCLUSIONS: Black older adults experience the greatest number of discriminative events, but weaker associated mental health outcomes. This could be because they have become accustomed to these experiences, benefit from social or cultural resources that serve as buffers, or selective survival, with the present sample capturing only the most resilient older adults who have learned to cope with the deleterious effects of discrimination.

%B Aging Ment Health %I 15 %V 15 %P 587-94 %8 2011 Jul 01 %G eng %N 5 %1 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21815851?dopt=Abstract %3 21815851 %4 Adaptation, Psychological/African Americans/psychology/statistics/African Americans/psychology/statistics/numerical data/Aged, 80 and over/Asian Americans/psychology/statistics/Asian Americans/psychology/statistics/numerical data/Cross-Cultural Comparison/Cross-Cultural Comparison/Depression/ethnology/Depression/ethnology/Discrimination (Psychology)/Discrimination (Psychology)/Ethnic Groups/ psychology/statistics/Ethnic Groups/ psychology/statistics/numerical data/European Continental Ancestry Group/psychology/statistics/European Continental Ancestry Group/psychology/statistics/numerical data/Hispanic Americans/psychology/statistics/Hispanic Americans/psychology/statistics/numerical data/Humans/Longitudinal Studies/Mental Health/ ethnology/statistics/Mental Health/ ethnology/statistics/numerical data/Middle Aged/Personal Satisfaction/Personal Satisfaction/Prejudice/Prejudice/Prevalence/Questionnaires/Social Perception/Social Perception/Socioeconomic Factors/United States/epidemiology/United States/epidemiology %$ 62728 %R 10.1080/13607863.2010.543664 %0 Journal Article %J Soc Sci Med %D 2011 %T Socioeconomic inequalities in old-age mortality: a comparison of Denmark and the USA. %A Rasmus Hoffmann %K Aged %K Aged, 80 and over %K Analysis of Variance %K Cross-Cultural Comparison %K Denmark %K Educational Status %K Female %K Health Expenditures %K Humans %K Income %K Life Expectancy %K Male %K Middle Aged %K Mortality %K Political Systems %K Social Class %K Social Welfare %K United States %X

Previous studies have reported important variations in the magnitude of health inequalities between countries that belong to different welfare systems. This suggests that there is scope for reducing health inequalities by means of country-level interventions. The present study adds to this literature by exploring whether the magnitude of socioeconomic inequalities in mortality is associated with social inequality levels. Denmark and the USA belong to fundamentally different welfare systems (social democratic and liberal) and our study thereby contributes to the ongoing debate on whether welfare systems are linked to health inequalities. We analyze Denmark and the USA in terms of socioeconomic differences in mortality above age 58. The data sources were Danish register data from 1980 to 2002 (n = 2,029,324), and survey data from the US Health and Retirement Study (HRS) from 1992 to 2006 (n = 9374). Survival analysis was used to study the impact of socioeconomic status on mortality and the magnitude of mortality differences between the two countries was compared. The results showed surprisingly that mortality differentials were larger in Denmark than in the USA even after controlling for a number of covariates: The poorest 10 percent of the Danish elderly population have a mortality rate ratio of 3.32 (men) and 3.70 (women) compared to the richest 25 percent. In the USA the corresponding rate ratios are 1.67 and 1.56. Low income seems to be a more powerful risk factor for mortality than low education. A number of possible explanations for higher mortality differences in Denmark are discussed: unintended positive correlation between generous health services and health inequality, early life influences, mortality selection, and relative deprivation.

%B Soc Sci Med %I 72 %V 72 %P 1986-92 %8 2011 Jun %G eng %N 12 %1 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21636194?dopt=Abstract %3 21636194 %4 Socioeconomic factors/Inequality/Mortality/Older people/Cross Cultural Comparison %$ 69360 %R 10.1016/j.socscimed.2011.04.019 %0 Journal Article %J Milbank Q %D 2003 %T The labor market consequences of race differences in health. %A John Bound %A Timothy A Waidmann %A Michael Schoenbaum %A Bingenheimer,Jeffrey B. %K Adult %K Age Distribution %K Age Factors %K Attitude to Health %K Black or African American %K Cross-Cultural Comparison %K Data Interpretation, Statistical %K Employment %K Female %K Health Services Needs and Demand %K Health Status Indicators %K Humans %K Indians, North American %K Male %K Middle Aged %K Sex Distribution %K Sex Factors %K Socioeconomic factors %K United States %K White People %B Milbank Q %I 81 %V 81 %P 441-73 %8 2003 %G eng %N 3 %1 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12941003?dopt=Abstract %4 Racial Differences/Health Status/labor market behavior %$ 12222 %R 10.1111/1468-0009.t01-1-00063 %0 Journal Article %J J Gerontol B Psychol Sci Soc Sci %D 2000 %T Pathways to retirement: patterns of labor force participation and labor market exit among the pre-retirement population by race, Hispanic origin, and sex. %A Chenoa Flippen %A Tienda, Marta %K Aged %K Black or African American %K Cross-Cultural Comparison %K Employment %K Female %K Hispanic or Latino %K Humans %K Logistic Models %K Male %K Middle Aged %K Personnel Downsizing %K Regression Analysis %K Retirement %K Sex Factors %K Socioeconomic factors %K United States %K White People %X

OBJECTIVES: This study examines the pre-retirement labor force participation behavior of Black, White, and Hispanic men and women to determine how patterns of labor market exit differ among groups.

METHODS: We combine data from the first and second waves of the Health and Retirement Study and apply multinomial logit regression techniques to model labor force status in the first wave of the HRS and change over time.

RESULTS: Black, Hispanic, and female elderly persons experience more involuntary job separation in the years immediately prior to retirement, and the resulting periods of joblessness often eventuate in "retirement" or labor force withdrawal. Minority disadvantage in human capital, health, and employment characteristics accounts for a large part of racial and ethnic differences in labor force withdrawal. Nevertheless, Black men and Hispanic women experience more involuntary labor market exits than Whites with similar socioeconomic and demographic characteristics.

DISCUSSION: Workers most vulnerable to labor market difficulties during their youth confront formidable obstacles maintaining their desired level of labor force attachment as they approach their golden years. This has significant policy implications for the contours of gender and race/ethnic inequality among elderly persons, particularly as life expectancy and the size of the minority elderly population continue to increase.

%B J Gerontol B Psychol Sci Soc Sci %I 55B %V 55 %P S14-27 %8 2000 Jan %G eng %N 1 %L pubs_2000_Flippen_CJGSeriesB.pdf %1 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10728126?dopt=Abstract %4 Labor Force Participation/Health Status/Economic Status/Retirement Planning/Basic Demographics %$ 8376 %R 10.1093/geronb/55.1.s14 %0 Journal Article %J J Am Geriatr Soc %D 2000 %T Racial variations in end-of-life care. %A Faith P. Hopp %A Sonia A. Duffy %K Advance care planning %K Advance directives %K Aged %K Aged, 80 and over %K Attitude to Health %K Black or African American %K Cross-Cultural Comparison %K Decision making %K Female %K Follow-Up Studies %K Humans %K Logistic Models %K Male %K Patient Care Planning %K Terminal Care %K United States %K White People %X

OBJECTIVES: To identify differences in advanced care planning and end-of-life decision-making between whites and blacks aged 70 and older.

DESIGN: The Asset and Health Dynamics Among the Oldest Old (AHEAD) study is a nationally representative survey of adults who were aged 70 and older in 1993. Relatives (proxy respondents) for 540 persons who died between the first (1993) and second (1995) waves of the study were surveyed about advanced care planning and end-of-life decisions that were made for their family member who died.

SETTING: Respondents were interviewed at home by telephone (n = 444) or in person (n = 95).

PARTICIPANTS: The 540 proxy respondents included 454 whites and 86 blacks.

MEASUREMENTS: Questions were asked about advance care planning and end-of-life decisions.

RESULTS: Whites were significantly more likely than blacks to discuss treatment preferences before death (P = .002), to complete a living will (P = .001), and to designate a Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care (DPAHC) (P = .032). The treatment decisions for whites were more likely to involve limiting care in certain situations (P = .007) and withholding treatment before death (P = .034). In contrast, the treatment decisions for blacks were more likely to be based on the desire to provide all care possible in order to prolong life (P = .013). Logistic regression models revealed that race continued to be a significant predictor of advance care planning and treatment decisions even after controlling for sociodemographic factors.

CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that there are important differences between blacks and whites regarding advanced care planning and end-of-life decision-making. Health professionals need to understand the diverse array of end-of-life preferences among various racial and ethnic groups and to develop greater awareness and sensitivity to these preferences when helping patients with end-of-life decision-making.

%B J Am Geriatr Soc %I 48 %V 48 %P 658-63 %8 2000 Jun %G eng %N 6 %1 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10855602?dopt=Abstract %4 Advance Directives/Aged, 80 and Over/Attitude to Health/Blacks/Psychology/Comparative Study/Cross Cultural Comparison/Decision Making/Female/Follow up Studies/Logistic Models/Patient Care Planning/Terminal Care/Whites %$ 4190 %R 10.1111/j.1532-5415.2000.tb04724.x %0 Journal Article %J J Gerontol B Psychol Sci Soc Sci %D 1999 %T A comparison of correlates of cognitive functioning in older persons in Taiwan and the United States. %A Mary Beth Ofstedal %A Zachary Zimmer %A Hui-Sheng Lin %K Activities of Daily Living %K Age Factors %K Aged %K Aged, 80 and over %K Cognition %K Cross-Cultural Comparison %K depression %K Educational Status %K Female %K Geriatric Assessment %K Health Status %K Humans %K Male %K Multivariate Analysis %K Regression Analysis %K Sex Factors %K Socioeconomic factors %K Surveys and Questionnaires %K Taiwan %K United States %X

OBJECTIVES: This article compares patterns of association between cognitive functioning and a number of sociodemographic and health correlates among older persons in Taiwan and the United States.

METHODS: The study uses data from the 1993 Survey of Health and Living Status of the Elderly in Taiwan and the 1993 Study of Asset and Health Dynamics Among the Oldest Old in the United States. Separate multivariate regression models are employed for each country to examine the effects of sociodemographic and health factors on cognitive functioning, and to examine the marginal impact of cognitive functioning on activities of daily living (ADL) and instrumental ADL (IADL) functioning.

RESULTS: Results of the multivariate analyses show similar patterns of association across the two countries and replicate findings from previous studies. Increasing age, female gender, lower education, depression, and selected health conditions are associated with lower cognitive functioning. In addition, although a significant predictor of both ADL and IADL impairments, cognitive functioning is more powerful with respect to explaining IADL impairments.

DISCUSSION: Study findings suggest that the cognitive measures are capturing similar dimensions in Taiwan and the United States, and that factors associated with cognitive functioning and its consequences with respect to physical functioning are similar in the two countries.

%B J Gerontol B Psychol Sci Soc Sci %I 54B %V 54 %P S291-301 %8 1999 Sep %G eng %N 5 %1 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10542831?dopt=Abstract %4 Cognitive Functioning %$ 12822 %R 10.1093/geronb/54b.5.s291