Perception of unmet basic needs as a predictor of mortality among community-dwelling older adults.
OBJECTIVE
We sought to determine whether, among older adults (>65 years), a perception that their basic needs are not being met increased mortality risk and whether this risk varied by race/ethnicity.


METHODS
We used Cox proportional hazards modeling to estimate the effect of perceived inadequacy in having one's basic needs (adequacy of income, quality of housing, and neighborhood safety) met on 10-year mortality rates.


RESULTS
After control for age, gender, race/ethnicity, marital status, education, income, and cognitive and functional status at baseline, perceived inadequacy in having one's basic needs met was shown to be a significant predictor of mortality (P<.0001), but no significant differences by race/ethnicity were observed.


CONCLUSIONS
Perceived inadequacy in having one's basic needs met predicted mortality during a 10-year follow-up among community-dwelling elderly persons.
Blazer
Dan G
DG
Department of Psychiatry, Box 3003, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA. blaze001@mc.duke.edu
Sachs-Ericsson
Natalie
N
Hybels
Celia F
CF
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D001741:Black or African American / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D001294:Attitude to Health / Q000208:ethnology*; D016021:Epidemiologic Studies; D005260:Female; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009026:Mortality; D020380:Needs Assessment / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D016016:Proportional Hazards Models; D012111:Residence Characteristics; D012307:Risk Factors; D012938:Social Perception; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D044465:White People / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data