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Material resources and population health: disadvantages in health care, housing, and food among adults over 50 years of age

Author

Listed:
  • Alley, D.E.
  • Soldo, B.J.
  • Pagán, J.A.
  • McCabe, J.
  • DeBlois, M.
  • Field, S.H.
  • Asch, D.A.
  • Cannuscio, C.

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: We examined associations between material resources and late-life declines in health. METHODS: We used logistic regression to estimate the odds of declines in self-rated health and incident walking limitations associated with material disadvantages in a prospective panel representative of US adults aged 51 years and older (N = 15,441). RESULTS: Disadvantages in health care (odds ratio [OR] = 1.39; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.23, 1.58), food (OR = 1.69; 95% CI = 1.29, 2.22), and housing (OR = 1.20; 95% CI = 1.07, 1.35) were independently associated with declines in self-rated health, whereas only health care (OR = 1.43; 95% CI = 1.29, 1.58) and food (OR = 1.64; 95% CI = 1.31, 2.05) disadvantage predicted incident walking limitations. Participants experiencing multiple material disadvantages were particularly susceptible to worsening health and functional decline. These effects were sustained after we controlled for numerous covariates, including baseline health status and comorbidities. The relations between health declines and non-Hispanic Black race/ethnicity, poverty, marital status, and education were attenuated or eliminated after we controlled for material disadvantage. CONCLUSIONS: Material disadvantages, which are highly policy relevant, appear related to health in ways not captured by education and poverty. Policies to improve health should address a range of basic human needs, rather than health care alone.

Suggested Citation

  • Alley, D.E. & Soldo, B.J. & Pagán, J.A. & McCabe, J. & DeBlois, M. & Field, S.H. & Asch, D.A. & Cannuscio, C., 2009. "Material resources and population health: disadvantages in health care, housing, and food among adults over 50 years of age," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 99, pages 693-701.
    • Handle: RePEc:aph:ajpbhl:2009:99:s3:s693-701_3
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    Cited by:

    1. Boen, Courtney & Yang, Y. Claire, 2016. "The physiological impacts of wealth shocks in late life: Evidence from the Great Recession," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 150(C), pages 221-230.
    2. Fangcao Lu & Carlos King Ho Wong & Emily Tsui Yee Tse & Amy Pui Pui Ng & Lanlan Li & Joyce Sau Mei Lam & Laura Bedford & Daniel Yee Tak Fong & Patrick Ip & Cindy Lo Kuen Lam, 2023. "The Impact of a Health Empowerment Program on Self-Care Enablement and Mental Health among Low-Income Families: Evidence from a 5 Year Cohort Study in Hong Kong," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(6), pages 1-16, March.
    3. Sarah A. Burgard & Jennifer A. Ailshire & Lucie Kalousova, 2013. "The Great Recession and Health," The ANNALS of the American Academy of Political and Social Science, , vol. 650(1), pages 194-213, November.
    4. Jin Huang & Yunju Nam & Eun Lee, 2015. "Financial Capability and Economic Hardship Among Low-Income Older Asian Immigrants in a Supported Employment Program," Journal of Family and Economic Issues, Springer, vol. 36(2), pages 239-250, June.

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