Demographic and Socioeconomic Disparities in Life Expectancy With Hearing Impairment in the United States

West, Jessica; Lynch, Scott M.

doi:10.1093/geronb/gbaa166

Cited by 12 publications

(9 citation statements)

References 67 publications

(94 reference statements)

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“…Given the association between sensory loss and social isolation, as well as evidence of health disparities related to sensory loss between Hispanic and non-Hispanic White older adults (Arnold et al, 2019; Varma et al, 2004; West & Scott, 2021; Uribe, 2011), the purpose of this study was to explore the impact of self-reported sensory disability on social isolation among those of Hispanic ethnicity. We hypothesized that, despite disparities in access to screening and treatment for sensory loss, Hispanic older adults may be less socially isolated than their non-Hispanic White counterparts, due to the influence of the cultural values that promote a reliance on family ties, or familism.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Among those of older age, rates of hearing loss are similar between Hispanic older adults and non-Hispanic White older adults ( Cruickshanks et al, 2015) and affects 31% of those age 60 to 69 and 63.1% of those age 70 and older (Goman & Lin, 2016). However, individuals of Hispanic ethnicity can expect to live a greater proportion of their lives hearing impaired than non-Hispanics (West & Scott, 2021). Previous research has identified underuse of hearing aids among Hispanic older adults compared with non-Hispanic whites, largely due to lack of health insurance access (Arnold et al, 2019).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Sensory Impairments and Social Isolation Among Hispanic Older Adults: Towards Culturally Sensitive Measurement of Social Isolation

Tanner

Yorgason

Richardson

et al. 2021

Preprint

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ObjectivesSensory disabilities, including vision disability and hearing disability, increase risk for social isolation, which is associated with multiple negative health outcomes. Existing literature suggests that the cultural value of familism may provide a buffer against social isolation. We examined the longitudinal trajectory of social isolation among Hispanic older adults with self-reported vision disability (SRVD) and self-reported hearing disability (SRHD) and tested a modified measure of social isolation incorporating familism.MethodsWe compared 8-year trajectories of social isolation among Hispanics (n = 445) and non-Hispanic Whites (n = 4,861) from the National Health and Aging Trends Study. We used structural equation modeling to explore the longitudinal relationships between sensory disability and social isolation while comparing two measures of social isolation.ResultsSocial isolation increased longitudinally for both groups, with SRVD significantly associated with higher initial levels. Social isolation started and remained higher across time among Hispanics. Using an adjusted measure of social isolation (added familial support), neither initial levels nor trajectories of social isolation differed between Hispanic and non-Hispanic White participants.DiscussionInitially, Hispanics appeared more socially isolated, reporting less social support from outside the home. Yet, we found that they were more likely to report family social connections. Traditional measures of social isolation focusing on social support outside of the home (neglecting support by family) may lack content validity among Hispanic groups. Culturally sensitive measures of social isolation will be increasingly consequential for future research and health policy to meet the needs of a diverse older population.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Sensory Impairments and Social Isolation Among Hispanic Older Adults: Towards Culturally Sensitive Measurement of Social Isolation

Tanner

Yorgason

Richardson

et al. 2021

Preprint

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…One advantage of this approach is that it reflects temporal changes in mortality and retirement behavior, and provides provisional answers to timely important questions. This synthetic cohort approach has been used by many previous studies on old-age labor market activities and health transitions ( Leinonen et al., 2018 ; Skoog & Ciecka, 2010 ; Warner et al., 2010 ; West & Lynch, 2020 ). Our synthetic cohorts each correspond to one of the five periods mentioned earlier.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Inequalities in Retirement Life Span in the United States

Shi

Dudel

Monden

et al. 2022

The Journals of Gerontology: Series B

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Objectives The length of retirement life may be highly unequal due to persistent and significant discrepancies in old-age mortality. This study assesses gender and educational differences in the average retirement lifespan and the variation in retirement lifespan, taking into account individual labor force exit and re-entry dynamics. Methods We used longitudinal data from the Health and Retirement Study from 1996–2016, focusing on respondents aged 50 and above (N = 32,228). Multistate life tables were estimated using discrete-time event history models. The average retirement lifespan, as well as absolute and relative variation in retirement lifespan, were calculated analytically. Results Among women, we found a persistent educational gradient in average retirement lifespan over the whole period studied; among men, the relationship between education and retirement expectancy differed across periods. Women and the lower-educated had higher absolute variation in retirement lifespan than men and the higher-educated—yet these relationships were reversed when examined by relative variation. Discussion Our multistate approach provides an accurate and comprehensive picture of the retirement lifespan of older Americans over the past two decades. Such findings should be considered in high-level discussions on Social Security. Potential reforms such as raising the eligibility age or cutting benefits may have unexpected implications for different social groups due to their differential impacts on retirement initiation and re-entry dynamics.

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“…Hearing loss affects 27% of adults 60-69 and 63.1% of adults 70 and older [11]. Although the prevalence of hearing loss among Hispanic and non-Hispanic samples is similar [12], those of Hispanic ethnicity will spend a greater proportion of their lives hearing impaired [13]. The impact of hearing impairment among Hispanics is further compounded by the underuse of hearing aids, which is correlated with a lack of health insurance [14].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Longitudinal Analysis of Social Isolation and Cognitive Functioning among Hispanic Older Adults with Sensory Impairments

Tanner

Yorgason

White

et al. 2023

IJERPH

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Objectives: Understanding the intersection of age, ethnicity, and disability will become increasingly important as the global population ages and becomes more diverse. By 2060, Hispanics will comprise 28% of the U.S. population. This study examines critical associations between sensory impairment, social isolation, and cognitive functioning among Hispanic older adults. Methods: Our sample consisted of 557 Hispanic older adults that participated in Rounds 1–3 or Rounds 5–7 of the National Health and Aging Trends Study. Longitudinal mediation models across a three-year span were estimated using Mplus, with vision, hearing, and dual sensory impairments predicting cognitive functioning directly and indirectly through social isolation. Results: Findings indicated that cognitive functioning was concurrently and, in certain cases, longitudinally predicted by vision and dual sensory impairments and by social isolation. Contrary to expectations, vision and hearing impairments were not predictive of social isolation. Dual sensory impairment was associated with social isolation, yet no significant indirect associations were found for sensory impairments predicting cognitive functioning through social isolation. Discussion: The finding that social isolation did not mediate the relationship between sensory impairment and cognitive decline among Hispanic older adults in the U.S. is contrary to findings from other studies that were not specifically focused on this population. This finding may be evidence that culturally motivated family support and intergenerational living buffer the impact of sensory impairments in later life. Findings suggest that Hispanic older adults experiencing dual sensory impairments may benefit from interventions that foster social support and include family members.

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Demographic and Socioeconomic Disparities in Life Expectancy With Hearing Impairment in the United States

Cited by 12 publications

References 67 publications

Sensory Impairments and Social Isolation Among Hispanic Older Adults: Towards Culturally Sensitive Measurement of Social Isolation

Sensory Impairments and Social Isolation Among Hispanic Older Adults: Towards Culturally Sensitive Measurement of Social Isolation

Inequalities in Retirement Life Span in the United States

Longitudinal Analysis of Social Isolation and Cognitive Functioning among Hispanic Older Adults with Sensory Impairments

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