Older American women show significant differences in mental and physical health outcomes according to race and ethnicity categorization. These differences include increased adult morbidity and mortality among older minority populations. Many factors account for racial health differences such as barriers to health care utilization, lower levels of insurance coverage and limited choices in health care services. Many health disparities are accounted for by socioeconomic status, but not all are attributable directly to factors such as income and wealth. Some inequities may be rooted through social support and social networks. Prior research has not demonstrated that social support necessarily functions in the same manner for minority families and communities. In this paper, The Health and Retirement Study data are used to examine the relationship between socioeconomic status, social support, and self-reported health status in later life for African-American, Hispanic and White women. Using this longitudinal data set, I differentiate the direct effects of socioeconomic status on health differentials from those routed through the mechanism of social support.
Learning Objectives: N/A
Keywords: Aging, Minority Health
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.