The Impact of Dynamic Income Disparities on Disability Progression in Older Adults: A Joint Group-Based Trajectory...

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Public Health
• Socioeconomics

Background:

• Aging populations globally necessitate understanding factors influencing health and longevity.
• Income disparities are increasingly recognized as a significant determinant of health outcomes in older adults.
• Effective aging strategies require insights into the complex relationship between socioeconomic status and disability progression.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the dynamic relationship between income trajectories and disability progression among older adults in China.
• To identify distinct patterns of income and disability over time.
• To explore the association between these identified trajectories.

Main Methods:

• Utilized data from the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey (CLHLS).
• Employed joint group-based trajectory modeling to identify distinct income and disability trajectories.
• Applied multinomial logistic regression to analyze the associations between identified trajectories.

Main Results:

• Older adults (60-69) with low but stable income trajectories showed a higher likelihood of rapid disability recovery.
• Over 30% of participants aged 70-79 and 80+ experienced rapid disability deterioration.
• Higher income trajectories in older age groups (70+) were associated with accelerated disability progression.

Conclusions:

• Income's impact on disability varies significantly by age group among older Chinese adults.
• Targeted financial support and preventive healthcare are crucial for older adults, especially younger-old with stable low incomes.
• Findings inform the development of tailored interventions to mitigate disability and promote healthy aging.