Title | Racial/Ethnic and Nativity Differences in Cognitive Life Expectancies Among Older Adults in the United States. |
Publication Type | Journal Article |
Year of Publication | 2018 |
Authors | Garcia, M, Downer, B, Chiu, C-T, Saenz, JL, Rote, S, Wong, R |
Journal | Gerontologist |
Volume | 38 |
Issue | 1 |
Pagination | 155-168 |
ISSN Number | 1758-5341 |
Keywords | Cognitive Ability, Dementia, Mortality, Racial/ethnic differences |
Abstract | Background and Objectives: To document racial/ethnic and nativity differences by gender in cognitive life expectancies among older adults in the United States. Research Design and Methods: Sullivan-based life tables were used to estimate cognitively normal, cognitively impaired/no dementia (CIND), and dementia life expectancies by gender for White, Black, U.S.-born Hispanic, and foreign-born Hispanic adults 50 years and older in the Health and Retirement Study. Results: Among women, the number of years spent living with dementia for Whites, Blacks, U.S.-born Hispanics, and foreign-born Hispanics was 1.6, 3.9, 4.7, and 6.0 years, respectively. For men, Whites lived 1.1 years with dementia compared to 3.1 years for Blacks, 3.0 years for U.S.-born Hispanics and 3.2 years for foreign-born Hispanics. Similar patterns were observed for race/ethnic and nativity differences in CIND life expectancies. Blacks and Hispanics spend a larger fraction of their remaining years with CIND and dementia relative to Whites, regardless of gender. Foreign-born Hispanic men and women and Black men are particularly disadvantaged in the proportion of years spent after age 50 with CIND and/or dementia. Discussion and Implications: Disparities in cognitive life expectancies indicate that intervention strategies should target the specific needs of minority and immigrant older adults with dementia. Given that education is a strong predictor of cognitive health, improving access to the social and economic resources that delay dementia onset is key to improving the well-being of diverse older adults. |
DOI | 10.1093/geront/gnx142 |
User Guide Notes | |
Alternate Journal | Gerontologist |
Citation Key | 9359 |
PubMed ID | 28958071 |
PubMed Central ID | PMC6417765 |
Grant List | P30 AG043097 / AG / NIA NIH HHS / United States R01 AG010939 / AG / NIA NIH HHS / United States T32 AG000270 / AG / NIA NIH HHS / United States T32 AG000037 / AG / NIA NIH HHS / United States P30 AG043073 / AG / NIA NIH HHS / United States |