9/12 Flashcards
The aging process is impacted by a number of demographic factors
sex, marital status, ethnicity, socioeconomic status
sex
mortality rates are lower among females than males; morbidity (illness and disability) rates are higher among females than males
Mortality morbidity paradox
men die sooner but women are sicker
Life expectancy at birth gap between males and females is decreasing over time
Life expectancy at birth in 2022 for males is 76.9, females 81.9
Sex difference is 5
Life expectancy at birth in 2062 for males is 87.6, females 89.2
Sex difference is 1.6
what has led to the closing of the gap between life expectancy between women and men
increase of lung cancer and smoking among women and decrease of smoking in men
men are more likely to die from —– issues than women
mortality issues (cancer, heart disease)
women exhibit higher levels of — than men
morbidity(death from chronic illness)
higher percentage of —– that are disabled in older age than men among Canadians
females
Factors that mediate (explain) the relationship between sex and mortality and morbidity rates include:
physiological factors (ie hormones),
health related habits(ie routine doctor visits)
risk taking behavior (alchohol use),
occupation
socioeconomic factors
integration into social networks
Physiological factors
Estrogen in women play protective role against cardiovascular disease, bone loss, and cognitive decline
X chromosomes in women help
Health-related habits:
women are more likely than men to perform health-related habits (ie eating healthier, visiting doctor)
Risk taking behavior
males still consume more tobacco than females
Males are more likely to engage in violent behaviors than women
Occupation
Men are more likely to women to be exposed to hazardous work conditions (ie military service, construction)
Socioeconomic status
Increased morbidity among females (Women experience more poverty than men)
Women are paid less than men
Integration into social networks
Men are less likely to be integrated into social networks than females
Females tend to have a more extensive network
Marital status:
mortality and morbidity rates are lower among individuals who are married than individuals who are never married, divorced, or widowed
marital status continue
Greater benefits are observed among married males than married females
Female partner may discourage risky behavior among male partner
Women introduce men to social networks (crucial for male health and longevity)
Ethnicity:
limited Canadian research with ethnicity, mortality, and morbidity. Substantial body of american research suggests that ethnicity influences mortality and morbidity rates
ETHNICITY continued
Failure to draw distinction between visible minority individuals born in canada and individuals born elsewhere
Small sample sizes
Research in canada fails to account for the meaning of health among different cultures
Research has not been validated to assess what they’re supposed to assess in different cultural groups
The influence of ethnicity on mortality and morbidity is complex and has changed over time
Factors that mediate the relationship between ethnicity and mortality and morbidity rates include:
foreign birth
differential migration/immigration patterns (immigrant vs refugee),
health related habits(consumption of low fat diet)
medicinal use(use of traditional medicines)
language fluency
experiences of discrimination,
access to (culturally responsive) health services
socioeconomic status
Most immigrants who migrate to the west tend to have —– and have longer longevity than those born in canada
better health
Immigrants are more able to self select (they are more educated, have occupational skills)
——- have poorer health than immigrants
refugees; refugees are forced to migrate
struggle with significant mental health problems due to trauma from original country
ethnicity and aging
Different ethnic groups have different health habits
Experiences of discrimination contribute to ill health and increase mortality
Failure to have culturally responsive health services to indigenous groups
~Need for Embracing compassion and resilience in these health services for indigenous
Lower socioeconomic status leads to poorer health
Deficit model looks at weaknesses of refugees,
socioeconomic status (SES)
mortality and morbidity rates are lower among individuals who are of high ses than individuals who are of low SES
SES defined by
Highest level of education (researchers tend to rely on this to determine SES)
Factors that mediate the relationship between SES and mortality and morbidity rates include
health-related habits (consumption of a low-fat diet)
utilization of health services (yearly mammograms)
self perceived health(How we perceive health has an influence)
SES cont
For a given individuals, these demographic variables(ie:refugee, poc) interact, producing a unique developmental trajectory across the life span
Collectively, these demographic variables contribute to individual differences in the aging process
Research is needed to examine the impact of disadvantages related to multiple demographic variables on the aging process
For example, women of color may be subject to multiple (ie double) jeopardy and cumulative disadvantage in older adulthood
