Functional limitations among older American Indians and Alaska natives: findings from the census 2000 supplementary survey.
The objectives of this study were to determine the national prevalence and profile of American Indian and Alaska Natives with functional limitations. Data were obtained from 4763 American Indian and Alaska Native respondents aged 45 years or older in the Census 2000 Supplementary Survey. Functional limitations were reported by 28% of American Indian and Alaska Natives aged 45 years or older. These individuals were poorer, older, less educated, and less likely to be married or employed than American Indian and Alaska Natives without such limitations (for all comparisons, P < .001). American Indian and Alaska Natives have high disability rates, and many are not receiving benefits for which they qualify.
Fuller-Thomson
Esme
E
Faculty of Social Work, University of Toronto, 246 Bloor Street West, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. esme.fuller.thomson@utoronto.ca
Minkler
Meredith
M
D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D019352:Censuses; D006233:Persons with Disabilities / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D006296:Health Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D007198:Indians, North American; D004930:Inuit; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D014481:United States