This Article Full Text Full Text (PDF) Services Download to citation manager PubMed PubMed Citation

Disparities Among Older Adults in Measures of Cognitive Function by Race or Ethnicity

Center for Health Policy, Law and Management, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina.

Address correspondence to Professor Sloan at Center for Health Policy, Law and Management, Duke University, Box 90253, Old Chemistry Building 125, Durham, NC 27708. E-mail: fsloan{at}hpolicy.duke.edu

This study examined racial or ethnic differences in cognitive function, cross-sectionally and longitudinally, using survey data from the Asset and Health Dynamics Among the Oldest Old. A version of the Telephone Interview for Cognitive Status (TICS), proxy assessments of cognition, and difficulties in performing daily tasks were assessed. Blacks performed below Whites on the TICS at baseline and on proxy assessments of cognition. TICS score declined with age for Whites and Blacks, with some relative gains for Blacks. At baseline, Blacks more often had difficulties in performing daily tasks, with some increase in difficulties relative to Whites with age. Differences between other groups and Whites were smaller than those between Blacks and Whites.