A Comprehensive Analysis of Morbidity Life Expectancies among Older Hispanic Subgroups in the United States

• In Event: 3111 - Comparative Perspectives on Inequality in Later Life

Abstract

Background and Objectives: Although a clear advantage in mortality has been documented among older Hispanic subgroups, particularly the foreign-born, research examining health selectivity in morbidity life expectancies among older Hispanics are scarce. Differences in sociocultural characteristics among Hispanic subgroups may influence racial/ethnic and nativity disparities in morbidity. Analyses examining the heterogeneity among older Hispanics may further our understanding of why some Hispanics are able to preserve good health in old age, while others experience a health disadvantage. Thus, the primary goal of this analysis is to examine racial/ethnic, nativity and country of origin differences in morbidity life expectancies among adults 50 years and older in the United States.
Research Design and Methods: We used individual-level data (1999-2015) from the National Health Interview Survey to estimate Sullivan-based life tables of life expectancies with and without morbidity by gender for U.S.-born Mexican-Americans, foreign-born Mexicans, U.S.-born Puerto Ricans, island-born Puerto Ricans, foreign-born Cubans, and Whites age 50 and older.
Results: Hispanics are heterogeneous in morbidity life expectancies. Among females, U.S.-born Mexican Americans, foreign-born Mexicans, and island-born Puerto Ricans spent more years after age 50 with a chronic condition compared to White women. For men, U.S.-born Puerto Ricans were the only Hispanic subgroup disadvantaged in the number of years lived with morbidity. Conversely, foreign-born Cubans exhibited the healthiest outcomes of all groups, regardless of gender.
Discussion and Implications: Improving the risk for late-life morbidity must be informed by a comprehensive understanding of a wide range of factors that shape health among older adults. Research should avoid pan-ethnic groupings that overlook important differences in chronic disease risk profiles among Hispanic subgroups. Recognizing the various sociocultural and environmental processes that underlie Hispanic subpopulations is important if researchers are to implement social and health policies aimed at ameliorating the risks and negative health outcomes among disadvantaged groups.

Authors

• Marc Anthony Garcia, University of Nebraska-Lincoln

• Catherine Perez, University of Southern California

• Chi-Tsun Chiu, Academia Sinica