Disability trends in gender and race groups of early retirement ages in the USA

Summary

Objectives: To analyse disability trends over the 1980s–1990s in gender and race groups of early retirement ages in USA.

Methods: Disability trends for white and black males and females aged 65–69 and 70+ are analysed using the 1982–1999 NLTCS. Disability is analysed at three levels (instrumental activities of daily living (IADL), activities of daily living (ADL), and institutionalisation).

Results: 1) A larger increase in proportions of non-disabled blacks aged 65–69 compared with whites and males compared with females. 2) Differences in disability trends among gender and race groups. 3) A faster absolute decline in non-institutionalised disabled aged 65–69. 4) A larger absolute decline and a smaller relative decline in proportions of disabled aged 70+ compared with 65–69. 5) A significant decrease in the proportion of ADL disabled blacks and an increase of ADL disabled white females in the age group 70+.

Conclusions: Americans aged 65–69 years manifest a significant improvement in health over the 1980s–1990s but the dynamics differs in gender and race groups. Possible reasons for these differences are discussed.