Active Life Expectancy among Older Mexican American Men and Women

• In Event: 322 - Section on Medical Sociology Roundtable Session
  In Refereed Roundtable: Section on Medical Sociology Roundtables. Table 01. Aging and Health

Abstract

Objective: This study examines nativity differentials in healthy and unhealthy life expectancy among Mexican American men and women ages 65 and older residing in the southwestern United States. Specifically, we assess whether the healthy immigrant effect in mortality extends to disability within a single ethnic group and in a border region. Method: We employ 17 years of data from the Hispanic Established Population for the Epidemiologic Study of the Elderly (H-EPESE) to calculate multistate life tables of life expectancy with and without disabilities and provide detailed comparisons in the length of life and disabled life specific to nativity and gender. Results: Overall life expectancy for the foreign-born is modestly higher than the native-born. Native-born males and foreign-born females spend a larger fraction of their elderly years with Activities of Daily Living disability in comparison to foreign-born males and native-born females. Conversely, both foreign-born males and females spend a larger fraction of their remaining years with Instrumental Activities of Daily Living disability than their native-born peers. Discussion: The healthy immigrant effect does not apply to disability within this sample. While foreign-born Mexican elders live slightly longer lives, on average they do so with more years spent in a disabled state. Given the rapid aging of the Latino population, the prevention and treatment of disabilities, particularly among the foreign-born should be a major public health priority.

Authors

• Marc Anthony Garcia, University of Texas-Austin

• Ronald J. Angel, University of Texas-Austin

• Jacqueline L. Angel, University of Texas-Austin

• Chi-Tsun Chiu, University of Texas-Austin