- Baseline data from the Health and Retirement Study (HRS, chronological age, 51–61) and the Study of Asset and Health Dynamics Among the Oldest Old (AHEAD, age 70 and above) were used.
- Employed logistic regression models to test the contributions of diseases, impairments, and demographic and social characteristics on disability.

Methods

- Activities of Daily Living (ADLs): 10.6% of men, 14.1% of women. Difficulties with ADLs. Difficulties with any of four personal care activities (transferring in/out of bed, dressing, bathing, or eating)
- Mobility: 15.4% of men, 22.3% of women. Difficulties with mobility activities. Difficulties with any of three mobility (or lower body) activities (walking across a room, walking several blocks, climbing a flight of stairs)
- Strength: 20.8% of men, 37.7% of women. Difficulties with strength activities. Difficulties with any of two strength (or primarily upper body) activities (pushing a piece of furniture, lifting 10 pounds)

Prevalence Of Disability


- Age: Older adults were more likely to report disability. People naturally experience a decline in physical and cognitive functions as they age. This decline increases the likelihood of chronic health conditions and injuries, which can lead to disabilities.
- Race/ethnicity: African Americans were more likely to report disability. (lower income, lack of access to quality education, and limited healthcare resources)
- Education: Higher education was associated with lower disability rates due to better socioeconomic status, which includes better access to healthcare, healthier lifestyles, and less physically demanding working conditions.  
- Marital status: Being married or partnered was associated with lower disability rates. Partners can encourage healthy behaviors, help manage stress, and provide care when needed, reducing the likelihood of disability.
- Chronic diseases and impairments: Musculoskeletal conditions, depressive symptoms, and cardiopulmonary conditions were strongly associated with disability.
- Cognitive performance: Lower cognitive performance was associated with higher disability rates.
- Body mass index (BMI): High BMI was associated with increased mobility and strength difficulties, especially for women. It can also cause chronic conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, and arthritis, which can contribute to disability.

Factors Associated with Disability: Demographic, Socioeconomic, and Health

- Women generally report higher prevalence and severity of certain chronic conditions, such as musculoskeletal disorders and depressive symptoms, which are strongly associated with disability. These conditions are more likely to cause functional difficulties in activities of daily living (ADLs), mobility, and strength, contributing to the higher disability rates reported by women.
- Body mass index (BMI) and mobility difficulties are more pronounced in women than men. Obesity tends to have a more severe impact on women's mobility, leading to higher reports of mobility-related disabilities among women.

Why Do Women Report Disability More Than Men?

The research study "Explaining the Role of Sex on Disability" looks at how being male or female affects disability. It explores how these differences influence how common disability is, how people experience it, and how society sees it. This study looks at information from a whole population to find patterns and differences between men and women when it comes to disability. 

Portland State University

The relationship between sex and disability has been a subject of study for over two decades. Yet, there remains no clear consensus on how sex influences disability and through which mechanisms this influence occurs. Despite the well-documented higher prevalence of self-reported disability among women compared to men, the effect of sex on disability varies significantly depending on the measures used and the covariates considered. 

The Role of Sex on Disability

Linda A. Wray, Caroline S. Blaum, Explaining the Role of Sex on Disability: A Population-Based Study, The Gerontologist, Volume 41, Issue 4, 1 August 2001, Pages 499–510, https://doi.org/10.1093/geront/41.4.499

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