The journals of gerontology. Series B, Psychological sciences and social sciences
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J Gerontol B Psychol Sci Soc Sci · Sep 2014
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative StudyBlack-white disparity in disability among U.S. older adults: age, period, and cohort trends.
This study delineates activities of daily living (ADL) and instrumental activities of daily living (IADL) black-white disparity trends by age, period, and cohort (APC) and explores sociodemographic contributors of cohort-based disparity trends. ⋯ We examined the role of aging on racial disparity in disability and found support for the racial crossover effect. Further, the racial disparity in disability will disappear should the observed pattern of declining cohort-based ADL and IADL disparities persist. Although education, income, and marital status are important sociodemographic contributors to cohort disparity trends, future studies should investigate individual behavioral health determinants and cohort-specific characteristics that explain the cohort-based racial difference in ADL and IADL disabilities.