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Perceived discrimination and mortality in a population-based study of older adults

Author

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  • Barnes, L.L.
  • Mendes De Leon, C.F.
  • Lewis, T.T.
  • Bienias, J.L.
  • Wilson, R.S.
  • Evans, D.A.

Abstract

Objectives. We examined the relation of individual-level perceived discrimination to mortality in a biracial, population-based sample. Methods. Participants were 4154 older adults from the Chicago Health and Aging Project who underwent up to 2 interviews over 4.5 years. Perceived discrimination was measured at baseline, and vital status was obtained at each followup and verified through the National Death Index. Results. During follow-up, 1166 deaths occurred. Participants reporting more perceived discrimination had a higher relative risk of death (hazard ratio [HR]= 1.05; 95% confidence interval [CI]=1.01, 1.09). This association was independent of differences in negative affect or chronic illness and appeared to be stronger among Whites than among Blacks (Whites: HR=1.12; 95% CI=1.04, 1.20; Blacks: HR=1.03; 95% CI=0.99, 1.07). Secondary analyses revealed that the relation to mortality was related to discriminatory experiences of a more demeaning nature and that racial differences were no longer significant when the sample was restricted to respondents interviewed by someone of the same race. Conclusions. Perceived discrimination was associated with increased mortality risk in a general population of older adults. The results suggest that subjective experience of interpersonal mistreatment is toxic in old age. This study adds to a growing literature documenting discrimination as an important social determinant of health.

Suggested Citation

  • Barnes, L.L. & Mendes De Leon, C.F. & Lewis, T.T. & Bienias, J.L. & Wilson, R.S. & Evans, D.A., 2008. "Perceived discrimination and mortality in a population-based study of older adults," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 98(7), pages 1241-1247.
    • Handle: RePEc:aph:ajpbhl:10.2105/ajph.2007.114397_3
    DOI: 10.2105/AJPH.2007.114397
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    1. Tyson H Brown PhD & Taylor W Hargrove PhD, 2018. "Psychosocial Mechanisms Underlying Older Black Men’s Health," The Journals of Gerontology: Series B, The Gerontological Society of America, vol. 73(2), pages 188-197.
    2. Liat Ayalon, 2018. "Perceived Age Discrimination: A Precipitator or a Consequence of Depressive Symptoms?," The Journals of Gerontology: Series B, The Gerontological Society of America, vol. 73(5), pages 860-869.
    3. Leitner, Jordan B. & Hehman, Eric & Ayduk, Ozlem & Mendoza-Denton, Rodolfo, 2016. "Racial bias is associated with ingroup death rate for Blacks and Whites: Insights from Project Implicit," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 170(C), pages 220-227.
    4. Cobb, Ryon J. & Rodriguez, Violeta J. & Brown, Tyson H. & Louie, Patricia & Farmer, Heather R. & Sheehan, Connor M. & Mouzon, Dawne M. & Thorpe, Roland J., 2023. "Attribution for everyday discrimination typologies and mortality risk among older black adults: Evidence from the health and retirement study," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 316(C).
    5. Gee, Gilbert & Walsemann, Katrina, 2009. "Does health predict the reporting of racial discrimination or do reports of discrimination predict health? Findings from the National Longitudinal Study of Youth," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 68(9), pages 1676-1684, May.
    6. Harnois, Catherine E., 2022. "What do we measure when we measure perceptions of everyday discrimination?," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 292(C).
    7. Fix, Rebecca L. & Mendelson, Tamar, 2022. "Stress, worry, and health problems experienced by Black and Indigenous caregivers of girls with juvenile legal system involvement," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 138(C).
    8. Colen, Cynthia G. & Ramey, David M. & Cooksey, Elizabeth C. & Williams, David R., 2018. "Racial disparities in health among nonpoor African Americans and Hispanics: The role of acute and chronic discrimination," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 199(C), pages 167-180.
    9. Bécares, Laia & Nazroo, James & Kelly, Yvonne, 2015. "A longitudinal examination of maternal, family, and area-level experiences of racism on children's socioemotional development: Patterns and possible explanations," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 142(C), pages 128-135.
    10. Conching, Andie Kealohi Sato & Thayer, Zaneta, 2019. "Biological pathways for historical trauma to affect health: A conceptual model focusing on epigenetic modifications," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 230(C), pages 74-82.
    11. Green, Judith & Buckner, Stefanie & Milton, Sarah & Powell, Katie & Salway, Sarah & Moffatt, Suzanne, 2017. "A model of how targeted and universal welfare entitlements impact on material, psycho-social and structural determinants of health in older adults," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 187(C), pages 20-28.
    12. Pinillos-Franco, Sara & Cantarero-Prieto, David & Lera, Javier, 2022. "Feeling discriminated means poor self-perceived health: a gender analysis using SHARE," MPRA Paper 114028, University Library of Munich, Germany.

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