Black adults in the U.S. are more vulnerable to developing a disability in their older age, according to a new study.
Developed by researchers from the University of Michigan, the new study, titled “Racial and ethnic variances in preparedness for aging in place among US adults ages 50–80,” examined data by the National Poll on Healthy Aging.
Looking at the responses of approximately 3,300 study participants collected from Jan. 15, 2022 to Feb. 4, 2022, the researchers found that nearly one third of adults that fell in the age range of 50 to 80 were living with a disability.
Out of everyone that reported that they were struggling with a disability, Black adults were found to have reported the highest rates. Per the study, roughly 41% of Black adults said that they had a disability.
They were also also more likely to report having a family member living with them that has a disability; roughly 37% of Black adults had a household member with a disability – more than the overall sample of 23%. In general, 37% of Black adults reported that their health ranged from fair to poor while only 21% of the total respondents reported the same.
“I think the main takeaway message is we need to create more accessible spaces. The population dynamics are shifting; there’s not enough younger people to support the older adults that we have,” said lead researcher Sheria Robinson-Lane per medical journal News Medical. “We’re waiting too long to start to make some of these critical changes to (guarantee) basic levels of accessibility within our communities and public spaces.”
Despite recording higher rates of disability, Black Americans are amongst those that are least insured. According to the latest report by AARP released in 2022, approximately 12% of Black Americans are without insurance compared to nine percent of white Americans that are also without insurance.
So glad to see this work finally out there. Everyone should be able to age in place within the community and with access to the support they need. Thanks to @NIHAging @AARP and @umichmedicine for supporting this work. @UMichNursing @JeffKullgren @PreetiNMalani @KoumpiasAM https://t.co/ryHzQzL8pO
— Sheria Robinson-Lane, PhD (@SheriaRobinson) October 4, 2023
Overall, about 4.4 million Black Americans are without insurance. They also report more barriers to proper health care; nine percent of Black Americans reported that they delay refills on prescription medication to save money while 18% reported that they worry about medical bills.
Although more improvements are needed, the arrival of the Affordable Care Act has lowered the rate of uninsured Black Americans.
Per the Commonwealth Fund, the insurance gap between Black American adults and white American adults dropped from approximately 10% to 5.3% with the implementation of the Affordable Care Act.
Passed by former President Barack Obama in 2010, the health care reform act was created to expand the Medicaid program, make health insurance more accessible and support lowering health care costs.
