Zhiyong Lin1, Hui Liu2. 1. Center on Aging and Population Sciences and Population Research Center, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas, USA. 2. Department of Sociology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, East Lansing, Michigan, USA.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: Concerns about coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) are an important emotional reaction to the pandemic and represent a key pandemic-related mental health outcome. We provide the first population-based evidence of racial-ethnic differences in COVID-19 concerns among older Americans during the COVID-19 outbreak. METHODS: We analyzed data from the 2020 Health and Retirement Study COVID-19 project. The sample included 2,879 respondents (aged 50 and older) who were interviewed from June to September 2020 and had completed measures on COVID-19 concerns and other key covariates. Ordinary least squares regression models were estimated to assess racial-ethnic differences in COVID-19 concerns. Formal mediation analysis was conducted to test potential mediating roles of exposures to COVID-19 risks, preexisting health status, and socioeconomic resources in accounting for racial-ethnic differences in COVID-19 concerns. RESULTS: Non-Hispanic Black and Hispanic Americans showed significantly greater concerns about the COVID-19 pandemic than non-Hispanic White Americans. Racial-ethnic minority older adults also had higher proportions of knowing someone who had contracted or died from COVID-19 than White older adults. Unequal exposures to COVID-19 risks by race-ethnicity and, to a lesser degree, preexisting health inequalities accounted for only part of the racial-ethnic differences in COVID-19 concerns. DISCUSSION: Our findings call for more research and policy interventions to lessen the disproportionate burden of COVID-19 experienced by older adults of racial-ethnic minority groups.
OBJECTIVES: Concerns about coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) are an important emotional reaction to the pandemic and represent a key pandemic-related mental health outcome. We provide the first population-based evidence of racial-ethnic differences in COVID-19 concerns among older Americans during the COVID-19 outbreak. METHODS: We analyzed data from the 2020 Health and Retirement Study COVID-19 project. The sample included 2,879 respondents (aged 50 and older) who were interviewed from June to September 2020 and had completed measures on COVID-19 concerns and other key covariates. Ordinary least squares regression models were estimated to assess racial-ethnic differences in COVID-19 concerns. Formal mediation analysis was conducted to test potential mediating roles of exposures to COVID-19 risks, preexisting health status, and socioeconomic resources in accounting for racial-ethnic differences in COVID-19 concerns. RESULTS: Non-Hispanic Black and Hispanic Americans showed significantly greater concerns about the COVID-19 pandemic than non-Hispanic White Americans. Racial-ethnic minority older adults also had higher proportions of knowing someone who had contracted or died from COVID-19 than White older adults. Unequal exposures to COVID-19 risks by race-ethnicity and, to a lesser degree, preexisting health inequalities accounted for only part of the racial-ethnic differences in COVID-19 concerns. DISCUSSION: Our findings call for more research and policy interventions to lessen the disproportionate burden of COVID-19 experienced by older adults of racial-ethnic minority groups.
Authors: Ashton M Verdery; Emily Smith-Greenaway; Rachel Margolis; Jonathan Daw Journal: Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A Date: 2020-07-10 Impact factor: 11.205
Authors: Gregorio A Millett; Austin T Jones; David Benkeser; Stefan Baral; Laina Mercer; Chris Beyrer; Brian Honermann; Elise Lankiewicz; Leandro Mena; Jeffrey S Crowley; Jennifer Sherwood; Patrick S Sullivan Journal: Ann Epidemiol Date: 2020-05-14 Impact factor: 3.797
Authors: Ann Pearman; MacKenzie L Hughes; Emily L Smith; Shevaun D Neupert Journal: J Gerontol B Psychol Sci Soc Sci Date: 2021-01-18 Impact factor: 4.077
Authors: Gertrude R Gauthier; Jeffrey A Smith; Catherine García; Marc A Garcia; Patricia A Thomas Journal: J Gerontol B Psychol Sci Soc Sci Date: 2021-02-17 Impact factor: 4.077