Simona C Kwon1, Benjamin H Han2, Julie A Kranick1, Laura C Wyatt3, Caroline S Blaum2, Stella S Yi1, Chau Trinh-Shevrin1. 1. Department of Population Health, New York University School of Medicine, 550 First Avenue VZN, New York, NY, 10016, USA. 2. Division of Geriatric Medicine and Palliative Care, Department of Medicine, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA. 3. Department of Population Health, New York University School of Medicine, 550 First Avenue VZN, New York, NY, 10016, USA. Laura.Wyatt@nyumc.org.
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.
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.
Entities:
Keywords:
Falls; Health disparity research; Older adults; Racial/ethnic minority
Authors: Kimberly A Faulkner; Jane A Cauley; Joseph M Zmuda; Douglas P Landsittel; Michael C Nevitt; Anne B Newman; Stephanie A Studenski; Mark S Redfern Journal: J Am Geriatr Soc Date: 2005-10 Impact factor: 5.562
Authors: Carlos O Weiss; Ravi Varadhan; Milo A Puhan; Andrew Vickers; Karen Bandeen-Roche; Cynthia M Boyd; David M Kent Journal: J Gen Intern Med Date: 2014-01-18 Impact factor: 5.128
Authors: Maryam Delavari; Anders Larrabee Sønderlund; Boyd Swinburn; David Mellor; Andre Renzaho Journal: BMC Public Health Date: 2013-05-10 Impact factor: 3.295
Authors: Maria Mora Pinzon; Shannon Myers; Elizabeth A Jacobs; Sherri Ohly; Militza Bonet-Vázquez; Marcia Villa; Al Castro; Jane Mahoney Journal: BMC Geriatr Date: 2019-09-18 Impact factor: 3.921
Authors: Lingshu Xue; Robert M Boudreau; Julie M Donohue; Janice C Zgibor; Zachary A Marcum; Tina Costacou; Anne B Newman; Teresa M Waters; Elsa S Strotmeyer Journal: BMC Geriatr Date: 2021-12-15 Impact factor: 3.921