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Racial/Ethnic Differences in Social Health of Older Adults in a Northern California Healthcare System
Epidemiology ; 70(SUPPL 1):S258-S259, 2022.
Article in English | EMBASE | ID: covidwho-1853983
ABSTRACT

Background:

The COVID-19 pandemic heightened concerns about the social health of older adults and potential exacerbation of racial disparities in health, well-being, and healthcare access.

Methods:

We used weighted data for 4282 Kaiser Permanente Northern California (KPNC) members aged 65-85 who responded to the 2020 KPNC Member Health Survey to estimate prevalence of frequent loneliness, lack of social support, financial strains, and other stressors during the prior 12 months.

Results:

Overall, 5% often felt lonely or socially isolated, and 37% often did not get sufficient social/emotional support (Figure). While approximately 4% had problems “making ends meet”, 10% worried about financial security. Cost led to 2-3% being food insecure, eating less healthy foods, and delaying/foregoing medical care, and 11% delaying/foregoing dental care. Black adults were most likely to report these financial strains, as well as experience harassment/ discrimination and worry about neighborhood violence. Asian/Pacific Islander adults (API) were most likely (57%) and White adults least likely (32%) to report lack of social/emotional support.

Conclusions:

While many older adults experienced adverse financial and social circumstances during the pandemic, Black adults were more likely than White adults to indicate financial and healthcare access strains. More research is needed on effective screening for financial and other social risks in diverse older adult populations to deliver socially and culturally appropriate care to vulnerable populations.
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Full text: Available Collection: Databases of international organizations Database: EMBASE Language: English Journal: Epidemiology Year: 2022 Document Type: Article

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Full text: Available Collection: Databases of international organizations Database: EMBASE Language: English Journal: Epidemiology Year: 2022 Document Type: Article