Ethnic inequalities in health in later life revisited

Abstract

Evidence on ethnic inequalities in health in the UK is established, however such evidence is scarce in terms of inequalities in later life. This paper analyses the Understanding Society (2009-2011) dataset in order to examine differentials in the health of persons aged 60 and over. Two health outcomes are explored: self-rated health and the extent to which one’s health limits the ability to undertake typical activities, and the analysis controls for a range of other factors including income and deprivation. Even after controlling for socio-economic disadvantage, Black and Minority Ethnic elders, especially those of South Asian origin, are still more likely than White British elders to report poorer outcomes. Gender differences are also evident in the analysis. These results reflect the complexity of health inequalities among different ethnic groups in the UK, and the need to develop health policies which take into account ethnic differences in socio-economic resources