Gender Disparities in Trajectories of Functional Health Limitations

Leah Rohlfsen, Arizona State University
Jennie J Kronenfeld, Arizona State University

The purpose of this research is to examine gender differentials in trajectories of functional health using latent growth curve models and an extensive set of covariates. Childhood health and socioeconomic status factors have not been used to examine gender differentials in health yet have been consistently linked to adult health. Several waves of data from the Health and Retirement Study (HRS) and the Study of Assets and Health Dynamics Among the Oldest Old (AHEAD) are used to examine gender differentials in trajectories of functional health. Past research and basic descriptive analysis shows there are substantial gender differentials in levels of functional health limitations. Future analysis will assess the extent to which gender differentials in trajectories of functional health limitations are accounted for by structural, behavioral, psychosocial, childhood, and adult health factors using latent growth curve modeling.