Title | Cross-National Differences in Disability Among Elders: Transitions in Disability in Mexico and the United States. |
Publication Type | Journal Article |
Year of Publication | 2015 |
Authors | Gerst, K, Wong, R, Michaels-Obregon, A, Palloni, A |
Journal | J Gerontol B Psychol Sci Soc Sci |
Volume | 70 |
Issue | 5 |
Pagination | 759-68 |
Date Published | 2015 Sep |
ISSN Number | 1758-5368 |
Keywords | Aged, Aged, 80 and over, Aging, Cross-Cultural Comparison, Disabled Persons, Female, Humans, Male, Mexico, Middle Aged, Mortality, Prevalence, United States |
Abstract | 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. |
URL | http://psychsocgerontology.oxfordjournals.org/content/early/2015/01/28/geronb.gbu185.abstract |
DOI | 10.1093/geronb/gbu185 |
User Guide Notes | |
Endnote Keywords | Disability/Disability/Elders/Mexico/MHAS_/cross-national comparison/cross Cultural Comparison |
Endnote ID | 999999 |
Alternate Journal | J Gerontol B Psychol Sci Soc Sci |
Citation Key | 8174 |
PubMed ID | 25633135 |
PubMed Central ID | PMC4635645 |
Grant List | R01 AG018016 / AG / NIA NIH HHS / United States R37 AG025216 / AG / NIA NIH HHS / United States AG018016 / AG / NIA NIH HHS / United States R01 AG025533 / AG / NIA NIH HHS / United States P30 AG024832 / AG / NIA NIH HHS / United States |