Disability trends in gender and race groups of early retirement ages in the USA.

OBJECTIVES: To analyse disability trends over the 1980s-1990s in gender and race groups of early retirement ages in USA.

METHODS: Disability trends for white and black males and females aged 65-69 and 70+ are analysed using the 1982-1999 NLTCS. Disability is analysed at three levels (instrumental activities of daily living (IADL), activities of daily living (ADL), and institutionalisation).

RESULTS: 1) A larger increase in proportions of non-disabled blacks aged 65-69 compared with whites and males compared with females. 2) Differences in disability trends among gender and race groups. 3) A faster absolute decline in non-institutionalised disabled aged 65-69. 4) A larger absolute decline and a smaller relative decline in proportions of disabled aged 70+ compared with 65-69. 5) A significant decrease in the proportion of ADL disabled blacks and an increase of ADL disabled white females in the age group 70+.

CONCLUSIONS: Americans aged 65-69 years manifest a significant improvement in health over the 1980s-1990s but the dynamics differs in gender and race groups. Possible reasons for these differences are discussed.