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Differences and Disparities in Ageism Affecting Older US Adults: a Review

  • Epidemiology of Aging (B Mezuk, Section Editor)
  • Published:
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Abstract

Purpose of Review

This review summarizes findings from quantitative research studies published between 2010 and 2022 providing insight on sociodemographic differences and disparities in ageism among US adults ages 50 and older.

Recent Findings

Across 21 studies, disparities in ageism were more consistently found such that those who were older (57% of studies), with less education (64%), and of lower socioeconomic status (100%) reported more ageism than their counterparts. Amount of ageism did not differ by sex in the majority (71%) of studies. Findings regarding race/ethnicity were mixed. Other possible differences in ageism, assessed in a small number of studies, were patterned by employment characteristics, geographic residence, religiosity, and political affiliation but not by marital or employment status.

Summary

Given that ageism is both common and associated with poor health outcomes, identifying disproportionately affected segments of the older adult population is a necessary prerequisite for developing targeted interventions to reduce negative outcomes linked to ageism and associated health disparities. Evidence within this review suggests that the patterning of ageism may deviate from that typically documented for other social and structural disadvantages. Some groups traditionally considered to be socially marginalized were found to report more ageism while others did not.

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Funding

This work was supported, in part, by the Michigan Integrative Wellbeing and Inequality Training Program (National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (R25-AT010664).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Health and Exercise Science, University of Oklahoma, 1401 Asp Ave, Norman, OK, 73019, USA

    Julie Ober Allen, Lauren K. Elias & Josephine C. Greenwood

  2. Research Center for Group Dynamics, Institute for Social Research, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA

    Julie Ober Allen

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  1. Julie Ober Allen
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Contributions

All authors contributed to the study conception, design, and methodology. Literature searches and data collection were conducted by Lauren Elias and Josie Greenwood. Julie Ober Allen conducted the data analysis and took the lead role in drafting the manuscript. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.

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Correspondence to Julie Ober Allen.

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Allen, J.O., Elias, L.K. & Greenwood, J.C. Differences and Disparities in Ageism Affecting Older US Adults: a Review. Curr Epidemiol Rep 10, 17–32 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40471-022-00316-6

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