Consequences of gender differentials in life expectancy for black and Hispanic Americans

Increased survival by blacks and Hispanics is causing a widening of the sex imbalance of the elderly population much like we have observed in the general population. These demographic trends point toward greater widowhood among minority women and continuing high rates of poverty. In addition, we can expect increased rates of disability in minority elderly women, increased dependency, worsening intergenerational relationships, and higher rates of institutionalization.