Mieke Beth Thomeer1, Stipica Mudrazija2, Jacqueline L Angel3. 1. Department of Sociology, University of Alabama at Birmingham. mthomeer@uab.edu. 2. Edward R. Roybal Institute on Aging, School of Social Work, University of Southern California, Los Angeles. 3. Department of Sociology, Lyndon B. Johnson School of Public Affairs, and Population Research Center, The University of Texas at Austin.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: This study investigates how health- and disability-based need factors and enabling factors (e.g., socioeconomic and family-based resources) relate to nursing home admission among 3 different racial and ethnic groups. METHOD: We use Cox proportional hazard models to estimate differences in nursing home admission for non-Hispanic whites, non-Hispanic blacks, and Hispanics from 1998 to 2010 in the Health and Retirement Study (N = 18,952). RESULTS: Racial-ethnic differences in nursing home admission are magnified after controlling for health- and disability-based need factors and enabling factors. Additionally, the degree to which specific factors contribute to risk of nursing home admission varies significantly across racial-ethnic groups. DISCUSSION: Our findings indicate that substantial racial and ethnic variations in nursing home admission continue to exist and that Hispanic use is particularly low. We argue that these differences may demonstrate a significant underuse of nursing homes for racial and ethnic minorities. Alternatively, they could signify different preferences for nursing home care, perhaps due to unmeasured cultural factors or structural obstacles.
OBJECTIVES: This study investigates how health- and disability-based need factors and enabling factors (e.g., socioeconomic and family-based resources) relate to nursing home admission among 3 different racial and ethnic groups. METHOD: We use Cox proportional hazard models to estimate differences in nursing home admission for non-Hispanic whites, non-Hispanic blacks, and Hispanics from 1998 to 2010 in the Health and Retirement Study (N = 18,952). RESULTS: Racial-ethnic differences in nursing home admission are magnified after controlling for health- and disability-based need factors and enabling factors. Additionally, the degree to which specific factors contribute to risk of nursing home admission varies significantly across racial-ethnic groups. DISCUSSION: Our findings indicate that substantial racial and ethnic variations in nursing home admission continue to exist and that Hispanic use is particularly low. We argue that these differences may demonstrate a significant underuse of nursing homes for racial and ethnic minorities. Alternatively, they could signify different preferences for nursing home care, perhaps due to unmeasured cultural factors or structural obstacles.
Authors: David Barton Smith; Zhanlian Feng; Mary L Fennell; Jacqueline Zinn; Vincent Mor Journal: J Health Polit Policy Law Date: 2008-10 Impact factor: 2.265
Authors: Pekka Martikainen; Heta Moustgaard; Michael Murphy; Elina K Einiö; Seppo Koskinen; Tuija Martelin; Anja Noro Journal: Gerontologist Date: 2009-03-19