Socioeconomic position and incident mobility impairment in the Cardiovascular Health Study

Authors

Cheryl K. Nordstrom, Wayne State University, Center for Health ResearchFollow
Ana V. Diez Roux, University of Pittsburgh, School of MedicineFollow
Richard Schulz, University of Michigan, School of Public HealthFollow
Mary N. Haan, University of Michigan, School of Public HealthFollow
Sharon A. Jackson, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Division for Heart Disease and Stroke PreventionFollow
Jennifer L. Balfour, University of Michigan, School of Public HealthFollow

Document Type

Article

Abstract

Abstract

Background

We investigated if personal socioeconomic position (SEP) factors and neighborhood characteristics were associated with incident mobility impairment in the elderly.

Methods

We used data from the Cardiovascular Health Study, a longitudinal, population-based examination of coronary heart disease and stroke among persons aged 65 and older in the United States.

Results

Among 3,684 persons without baseline mobility impairment, lower baseline SEP was associated with increased risk of incident mobility disability during the 10-year follow-up period, although the strengths of these associations varied by socioeconomic indicator and race/sex group.

Conclusion

Among independent-living elderly, SEP affected development of mobility impairment into later life. Particular effort should be made to prevent or delay its onset among the elderly with low income, education, and/or who live in economically disadvantaged neighborhoods.

Disciplines

Community Health and Preventive Medicine | Environmental Public Health | Medicine and Health

Recommended Citation

Nordstrom et al. BMC Geriatrics 2007, 7:11
doi:10.1186/1471-2318-7-11