How Much Does Pain Contribute to Educational Disparities in Disability?

• In Event: 30860 - Section on Aging and the Life Course Roundtables
  In Refereed Roundtable (90 minute): Table 9. Social Determinants of Health Over the Life Course

Abstract

Educational disparities in disability represent a significant and persistent public health problem in the United States, contributing to substantial inequalities in well-being and quality of life. However, the role of pain in shaping these disparities has received little attention. In this research, we use data from the National Health Interview Survey (2002–2018) to examine how five types of site-specific pain (joint, low back, neck, headache/migraine, and facial/jaw pain) contribute to disability disparities among U.S. adults aged 45–84. Beyond traditional disability measures (ADLs and IADLs), we analyze physical, cognitive, work, and social limitations. Using the KHB decomposition, we found that pain explains 18%–34% of the disability gap between those with less than a high school education and those with a bachelor’s degree or above. Oaxaca-Blinder decomposition shows this gap is mainly due to higher pain prevalence among the less educated. While sex differences are minimal, pain plays a larger role in disparities among middle-aged adults than older adults. This study deepens our understanding of the extent to which pain underlies educational disparities in disability, emphasizing the need for targeted research and policy interventions to reduce pain and its disproportionate burden on socioeconomically disadvantaged populations.

Authors

• Hangqing Ruan, SUNY-Buffalo

• Hanna Grol-Prokopczyk, University at Buffalo

• Zachary Zimmer, Mount Saint Vincent University

• Anna Zajacova, Western University