Description of Variation in Age of Onset of Functional Limitations of Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islanders Compared to Other Racial and Ethnic Groups

Christopher S. Walter, Marie-Rachelle Narcisse, Jennifer L. Vincenzo, Pearl A. McElfish and Holly C. Felix
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Christopher S. Walter: Department of Physical Therapy, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, 1125 N. College Ave, Fayetteville, AR 72703, USA
Marie-Rachelle Narcisse: Office of Community Health and Research, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, 1125 N. College Ave, Fayetteville, AR 72703, USA
Jennifer L. Vincenzo: Department of Physical Therapy, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, 1125 N. College Ave, Fayetteville, AR 72703, USA
Pearl A. McElfish: Office of Community Health and Research, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, 1125 N. College Ave, Fayetteville, AR 72703, USA
Holly C. Felix: Fay W. Boozman College of Public Health, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR 72205, USA

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 5, 1-8

Abstract: (1) Background: The purpose of this exploratory study was to describe variation in age of onset of functional limitations of Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islanders (NHPI) compared to other racial and ethnic groups. (2) Methods: Adults age 45 years and older who responded to the Functioning and Disability module within the 2014 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) were included ( n = 628 NHPI; 7122 non-Hispanic Whites; 1418 Blacks; 470 Asians; and 1216 Hispanic adults). The NHIS Functioning and Disability module included 13 items, which we organized into three domains of functional limitations using factor analysis: Mobility, Gross Motor Skills, and Fine Motor Skills. Responses were summed within each domain. (3) Results: After adjusting for age and sex, we found that racial/ethnic minority groups, with the exception of Asians, experience more functional limitations than Whites. Results further indicate that NHPI adults experienced an earlier surge in all three domains of functional limitations compared to other racial/ethnic groups. (4) Conclusions: These findings are novel and provide additional evidence to the existence of disparities in functional health outcomes across racial/ethnic groups. Future studies are needed to develop targeted and culturally tailored interventions for those most in need.

Keywords: health disparities; physical function; NATIVE Hawaiian and Pacific Islander (NHPI) (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
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