ERIC Number: EJ978125
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2012-Sep
Pages: 19
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0022-1465
EISSN: N/A
Race-Ethnicity and Health Trajectories: Tests of Three Hypotheses across Multiple Groups and Health Outcomes
Brown, Tyson H.; O'Rand, Angela M.; Adkins, Daniel E.
Journal of Health and Social Behavior, v53 n3 p359-377 Sep 2012
Racial-ethnic disparities in static levels of health are well documented. Less is known about racial-ethnic differences in age trajectories of health. The few studies on this topic have examined only single health outcomes and focused on black-white disparities. This study extends prior research by using a life course perspective, panel data from the Health and Retirement Study, and multilevel growth curve models to investigate racial-ethnic differences in the trajectories of serious conditions and functional limitations among blacks, Mexican Americans, and whites. We test three hypotheses on the nature of racial-ethnic disparities in health across the life course (aging-as-leveler, persistent inequality, and cumulative disadvantage). Results controlling for mortality selection reveal that support for the hypotheses varies by health outcome, racial-ethnic group, and life stage. Controlling for childhood socioeconomic status, adult social and economic resources, and health behaviors reduces but does not eliminate racial-ethnic disparities in health trajectories. (Contains 3 tables and 2 figures.)
Descriptors: Race, Mexican Americans, Health Behavior, Ethnicity, Retirement, Racial Differences, Hypothesis Testing, Aging (Individuals), Social Differences, Disadvantaged, Death, Children, Socioeconomic Status, Family Financial Resources
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A