Disparities in self-reported activities of daily living and instrumental activities of daily living disability among Asian American subgroups in the United States: Results from the National Health Interview Survey 2001–2003

• Published in: Disability and health journal Vol. 1; no. 3; pp. 150 - 156
• Main Authors: Coustasse, Alberto, M.D., Dr.P.H, Bae, Sejong, Ph.D, Arvidson, Cody J., Ph.D, Singh, Karan P., Ph.D
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Elsevier Inc 01.07.2008
• Subjects: Activities of Daily Living; ADL and IADL disability; Aged; Asian Americans - statistics & numerical data; Asian subpopulations; Chi-Square Distribution; Communication; Cross-Sectional Studies; Disabled Persons - statistics & numerical data; Elders; Female; health disparity; Health Status Disparities; Health Surveys; Humans; Internal Medicine; Language; Male; Multivariate Analysis; National Health Interview Survey; Retrospective Studies; Self Report; United States; United States; health disparity; National Health Interview Survey; Asian subpopulations; Elders; ADL and IADL disability
• ISSN: 1936-6574; 1876-7583
• DOI: 10.1016/j.dhjo.2008.04.005

Abstract Background The purpose of this study was to compare disability and functional limitations among elderly Asian American subgroups using datasets from the National Health Interview Survey 2001−2003. Methods This retrospective cross-sectional study analyzed whether activities of daily living (ADL) and instrumental ADL (IADL) disabilities were different among Asian American subgroups in the United States using data retrieved from the 2001−2003 National Health Interview Survey. For comparing all Asian American subgroups, χ2 analysis was applied for the bivariate comparisons. Results Rates of 7.1% and 12.2% for ADL and IADL disability, respectively, within Asian American group were found. The elder Chinese subgroup accounted for the highest ADL and IADL disability (11.6% and 17.3%, respectively, p < .05). Being female, not married, and older was associated with higher ADL and IADL disability ( p < .05). Conclusions The findings of the study highlight the intergroup variability among the elder Asian American subpopulations.