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Racial and Ethnic Difference in Falls Among Older Adults: Results from the California Health Interview Survey

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Abstract

Background

Research suggests that fall risk among older adults varies by racial/ethnic groups; however, few studies have examined fall risk among Hispanics and Asian American older adults.

Methods

Using 2011–2012 California Health Interview Survey data, this study examines falling ≥2 times in the past year by racial/ethnic groups (Asian Americans, Hispanics, and Blacks) aged ≥65, adjusting for socio-demographic characteristics, body mass index, co-morbidities, and functional limitations. A secondary analysis examines differences in fall risk by English language proficiency and race/ethnicity among Asian Americans and Hispanics.

Results

Asian Americans were significantly less likely to fall compared to non-Hispanic whites, individuals with ≥2 chronic diseases were significantly more likely to fall than individuals with <2 chronic diseases, and many functional limitations were significantly associated with fall risk, when adjusting for all factors. African Americans and Hispanics did not differ significantly from non-Hispanic whites. Analysis adjusting for race/ethnicity and English language proficiency found that limited English proficient Asian Americans were significantly less likely to fall compared to non-Hispanic whites, individuals with ≥2 chronic diseases were significantly more likely to fall than individuals with <2 chronic diseases, and all functional limitations were significantly associated with fall risk, when adjusting for all factors. No differences were found when examining by racial/ethnic and English proficient/limited English proficient groups.

Conclusion

Further research is needed to explore factors associated with fall risks across racial/ethnic groups. Culturally relevant and targeted interventions are needed to prevent falls and subsequent injuries in the increasingly diverse aging population in the USA.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Population Health, New York University School of Medicine, 550 First Avenue VZN, New York, NY, 10016, USA

    Simona C. Kwon, Julie A. Kranick, Laura C. Wyatt, Stella S. Yi & Chau Trinh-Shevrin

  2. Division of Geriatric Medicine and Palliative Care, Department of Medicine, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA

    Benjamin H. Han & Caroline S. Blaum

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  1. Simona C. Kwon
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Correspondence to Laura C. Wyatt.

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Funding

This publication is supported in part by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention under award numbers U58DP005621 and U48DP005008, National Institutes of Health–National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities award number P60MD000538, and National Institutes of Health–National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences award numbers UL1TR001445 and KL2 TR001446. The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the funding agencies.

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The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

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This article does not contain any studies with human participants or animals performed by any of the authors.

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Kwon, S.C., Han, B.H., Kranick, J.A. et al. Racial and Ethnic Difference in Falls Among Older Adults: Results from the California Health Interview Survey. J. Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities 5, 271–278 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40615-017-0367-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40615-017-0367-8

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