Racial-Ethnic Disparities in Functional Limitations and Depression Symptoms during the COVID-19 Pandemic

This study examines how the impacts of physical and mental comorbidities and
functional limitations on depressive symptoms vary by the major racial ethnic groups (i.e.,
White, Black, and Hispanic). Methods: The empirical work of this is based on data from the
2020 Health and Retirement Study (HRS) COVID-10 Project in the United States. Results:
Findings suggested that physical and mental comorbid conditions, functional limitations, and
depressive symptoms co-occur more commonly than expected for all racial ethnic groups. In
terms of functional imitations, females fared worse than males (for all racial ethnic groups) and
depressive symptoms (Whites only). Education created protective effects on both functional
limitations and depressive symptoms. The extent of COVID-19 concerns and delayed care on the
number of depressive symptoms differed across racial ethnic groups. Conclusion: Findings from
this study can serve as a guide to policymakers and practitioners when developing an integrated
treatment and screening mechanism for physical comorbidities and cognitive functioning.