Differences in the Progression of Disability: A U.S.-Mexico Comparison

Area of Science:

• Gerontology and Public Health
• Epidemiology of Aging
• Cross-cultural Health Studies

Background:

• Understanding disability progression is crucial for public health.
• Developing countries face unique challenges in studying aging and disability.
• Comparative studies between developed and developing nations are limited.

Purpose of the Study:

• To document and model the progression of disability in Mexico.
• To compare the disablement process in a developing country (Mexico) with a developed country (U.S.).
• To identify factors influencing disability progression, including gender differences.

Main Methods:

• Utilized data from the Mexican Health and Aging Study (MHAS) and the U.S. Health and Retirement Study (HRS).
• Employed an ordinal logistic regression model to analyze disability progression across six levels (no disability to death).
• Examined disability progression over a two-year follow-up period for both cohorts.

Main Results:

• Approximately 44% of participants in both studies remained at the same disability level after two years.
• Disability progression, particularly with limitations in two areas, showed gender differences in Mexico (MHAS).
• Gender consistency in disability progression was observed in the U.S. (HRS).

Conclusions:

• The model emphasizes the significance of activities of daily living (ADLs) in Mexico's disablement process.
• Gender-specific divergence in disability progression in Mexico may be linked to lifetime risk profiles and cultural contexts.
• Cross-cultural comparisons reveal distinct patterns in aging and disability.