Aging
Sociodemographic Predictors of Poor Vision Among Older Adults: Evidence from the Health and Retirement Study Muxi Zheng* Muxi Zheng Zheng Zheng Zheng Zheng Zheng Zheng Zheng Zheng Department of Epidemiology, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
Understanding how sociodemographic factors are associated with poor vision is important for informing interventions. Among adults aged 65+ enrolled in the Health and Retirement Study between 1994-2020 (N=25,992), we evaluated associations between sociodemographic characteristics and poor vision. Participants self-reported eyesight (with glasses if they normally use glasses) at biennial interviews; poor vision was defined as self-rated fair or poor including with glasses use. Logistic regression models were used to estimate associations of sociodemographic characteristics (sex, race and ethnicity, education, age, marital status, income, and insurance type) with odds of poor vision. To determine if social factors predict vision accounting for health status, models were adjusted for lifestyle and health conditions variables from the prior interview.
Participants had a mean age of 74.6 years. Females had higher odds of poor vision than males (OR=1.04, 95% CI: 1.01-1.07). Older age was associated with higher odds of poor vision (OR=1.03, 95% CI: 1.03-1.04). Black participants had higher odds of poor vision (OR=1.36, 95% CI: 1.31-1.41) compared to White participants, and Hispanic participants had higher odds than Non-Hispanic participants (OR=1.41, 95%CI: 1.34-1.48). Higher education (OR=0.93, 95%CI: 0.92-0.95) and higher income (OR=0.93, 95% CI: 0.93-0.93) were associated with lower odds of poor vision. Separated/divorced (OR=1.15, 95%CI: 1.09-1.21), widowed (OR=1.17, 95%CI: 1.12-1.21), and never married (OR=1.12, 95%CI: 1.03-1.23) individuals had higher odds of poor vision than married individuals. Those with both public and private insurance (OR=0.90, 95%CI: 0.87-0.93) and with only private insurance (OR=0.86, 95% CI: 0.77-0.96) had lower odds of poor vision than those with public insurance only.
Sociodemographics were associated with poor vision. This suggests the need for targeted efforts to improve access to vision care among disadvantaged older adults.
