Lasting Impacts of Childhood Health and Socioeconomic Circumstances on Adult Health Problems: Analysis of a Longitudinal Count Regression Model

Objectives. This study examines the lasting impacts of childhood health and circumstances, in addition to adult socioeconomic status on trajectories of chronic health problems in later life and how these associations vary across race/ethnicity as well as gender. Methods. Employing a longitudinal data set from the Health and Retirement Study (HRS), this study utilizes a random intercept count regression model to examine how circumstances associated with early life may influence chronic health trajectories in later life. Results. The results demonstrate that poor childhood health and disadvantaged socioeconomic status (SES) are associated with the higher incidence rates of chronic health problems over time. The associations are net of adult socioeconomic status and baseline health status. The adverse effects of poor childhood health and disadvantaged socioeconomic conditions are higher for women than men. While both childhood health and SES have significant impacts on chronic health trajectories for both African-American and White, no such effects have been observed among Hispanic. Discussion. Trajectories of chronic health problems in late life continue to be shaped by childhood health and socioeconomic circumstances. The patterns of associations vary across race/ethnicity as well as gender.

Immigrants/Child Care/Childhood/Children/Gender/Minorities/Family Planning/Fertility/Health Behavior/Indigenous Peoples/Non-labor Discrimination/Women/Socioeconomic Differences

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