Heterogeneous impairment patterns among midlife Latinos in the United States.

Objectives Latinos are a large, growing, and diverse group whose disability and impairment profiles prominently shape patterns of population aging in the United States. To date, however, research has largely documented disability and impairment risks among older Latinos under a pan-ethnic umbrella,...

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Published in:Journals of Gerontology Series B: Psychological Sciences & Social Sciences Vol. 81; no. 8; pp. 1 - 11
Main Authors: Boen, Courtney E, Parrish, Elise M, García, Catherine, Garcia, Marc A
Format: Article
Published: Oxford University Press / USA Aug2026
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Online Access:View this record in EBSCOhost
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      dt: Aug2026
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      pub: Oxford University Press / USA
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        10.1093/geronb/gbag087
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        atl: Heterogeneous impairment patterns among midlife Latinos in the United States.
      aug:
        au:
          Boen, Courtney E
          Parrish, Elise M
          García, Catherine
          Garcia, Marc A
        affil:
          Department of Sociology, Population Studies & Training Center, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, United States
          Department of Sociology, Population Aging Research Center, Leonard Davis Institute of Health Economics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
          Department of Human Development and Family Science, Syracuse University, Syracuse, New York, United States
          Department of Sociology, Aging Studies Institute, and Maxwell School of Citizenship & Public Affairs, Syracuse University, Syracuse, New York, United States
      su:
        United States
        Hispanic Americans
        Cross-sectional method
        Aging
        Health equity
        Cognition disorder risk factors
        Risk assessment
        Middle-aged persons with disabilities
        Research funding
        Secondary analysis
        Logistic regression analysis
        Surveys
        Cognition disorders
      sug:
        subj:
          Hispanic Americans
          Cross-sectional method
          Aging
          Health equity
          United States
          Cognition disorder risk factors
          Risk assessment
          Middle-aged persons with disabilities
          Research funding
          Secondary analysis
          Logistic regression analysis
          Surveys
          Cognition disorders
      keyword:
        aging
        citizenship
        copyrightHolder:The Gerontological Society of America
        copyrightYear:2026
        disability
        Disparities
        Diversity in aging
        health disparities
        heterogeneity
        hispanics or latinos
        https://dx.doi.org/10.1093/geronb/gbag087
        inLanguage:en
        Latino heterogeneity
        middle-aged adult
        publisher:Oxford University Press
        sameAs:https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42121373/
        aging
        citizenship
        copyrightHolder:The Gerontological Society of America
        copyrightYear:2026
        disability
        Disparities
        Diversity in aging
        health disparities
        heterogeneity
        hispanics or latinos
        https://dx.doi.org/10.1093/geronb/gbag087
        inLanguage:en
        Latino heterogeneity
        middle-aged adult
        publisher:Oxford University Press
        sameAs:https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42121373/
      ab: Objectives Latinos are a large, growing, and diverse group whose disability and impairment profiles prominently shape patterns of population aging in the United States. To date, however, research has largely documented disability and impairment risks among older Latinos under a pan-ethnic umbrella, with fewer studies investigating disparities among Latino subgroups at midlife working ages. This study aims to estimate population-level impairment prevalence among midlife working-aged Latinos in the United States, paying particular attention to the subgroup heterogeneity. Methods Using data from the American Community Survey (2008–2019) (n  = 1,032,333), we document patterns of impairment—including overall impairment and by impairment type (i.e. cognitive and physical impairments)—among Latinos aged 45–64, examining heterogeneity across nativity and citizenship, age at migration, duration in the United States, heritage and country/region of origin, and race. Taking an intersectional approach, we further consider whether these patterns vary by gender and age. Results Our findings show substantial heterogeneity in impairment among Latinos, with Puerto Rican, American Indian, and Alaska Native, Black, and multiracial Latinos having especially high probabilities of impairment. U.S.-born Latinos, immigrants who migrated as children or adolescents, and those who have resided in the United States for extended durations also experience relatively high probabilities of impairment. Discussion Understanding impairment patterns among Latino subgroups during midlife working ages is crucial for addressing health disparities and promoting health equity within this diverse and growing population. Our findings suggest that not considering within-group diversity among pan-ethnic Latinos risks masking substantial heterogeneity, with important consequences for policy and intervention efforts.
      pubtype: Academic Journal
      doctype: Article
      src: R
    language: English
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