Differences by race in the decline of health over time.

Previous research on race differences in health, we believe, has failed to take into account the initial state of health of the respondents. Other research has demonstrated that elders in poor health are more likely to experience a change in their health over time. It is unclear if the greater probability of decline in health observed among African Americans is a result of being more likely to begin such observations in health states that are worse than those for Whites. This investigation examines declines in health over a 30-month period in a sample of African American and White elders who began the study in similar "good health." Findings support the supposition that African Americans are more likely to report a decline in their health, regardless of the health measure used. Differences by race in the decline of health appear to be a consequence of economic and educational discrepancies between the two groups.