Who Works Among Older Black and White, Well-Functioning Adults in the Health, Aging, and Body Composition Study?

• Main Authors: Ronica N. Rooks PhD, Eleanor M. Simonsick PhD, Richard Schulz PhD, Susan Rubin MPH, Tamara Harris MD, MS
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: SAGE Publishing 2017-08-01
• Series: Gerontology and Geriatric Medicine
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.1177/2333721417727098

Objective: The aim of this study is to examine social, economic, and health factors related to paid work in well-functioning older adults and if and how these factors vary by race. Method: We used sex-stratified logistic and multinomial logistic regression to examine cross-sectional data in the Health, Aging, and Body Composition cohort study. The sample included 3,075 community-dwelling Black (42%) and White adults aged 70 to 79 at baseline. Results: Multinomial logistic regression analyses show Black men were more likely to work full-time, and Black women were more likely to work part-time. Men with ≥US$50,000 family income were more likely to work full-time. Men with better physical functioning were more likely to work full- and part-time. Women with ≥US$50,000 family income and fewer chronic diseases were more likely to work full-time. Women who were overweight and had fewer chronic diseases were more likely to work part-time. Discussion: Results suggest that well-functioning, older Black adults were more likely to work than their White counterparts, and working relates to better health and higher income, providing support for a productive or successful aging perspective.