Perceived discrimination and mortality in a population-based study of older adults.
OBJECTIVE
We examined the relation of individual-level perceived discrimination to mortality in a biracial, population-based sample.


METHODS
Participants were 4154 older adults from the Chicago Health and Aging Project who underwent up to 2 interviews over 4.5 years. Perceived discrimination was measured at baseline, and vital status was obtained at each follow-up and verified through the National Death Index.


RESULTS
During follow-up, 1166 deaths occurred. Participants reporting more perceived discrimination had a higher relative risk of death (hazard ratio [HR]= 1.05; 95% confidence interval [CI]=1.01, 1.09). This association was independent of differences in negative affect or chronic illness and appeared to be stronger among Whites than among Blacks (Whites: HR=1.12; 95% CI=1.04, 1.20; Blacks: HR=1.03; 95% CI=0.99, 1.07). Secondary analyses revealed that the relation to mortality was related to discriminatory experiences of a more demeaning nature and that racial differences were no longer significant when the sample was restricted to respondents interviewed by someone of the same race.


CONCLUSIONS
Perceived discrimination was associated with increased mortality risk in a general population of older adults. The results suggest that subjective experience of interpersonal mistreatment is toxic in old age. This study adds to a growing literature documenting discrimination as an important social determinant of health.
Rush Alzheimer's Disease Center, Rush University Medical Center, 600 S. Paulina, Suite 1038, Chicago, IL 60612, USA. lbarnes1@rush.edu
Lisa L
LL
Barnes
Carlos F Mendes
CF
de Leon
Tené T
TT
Lewis
Julia L
JL
Bienias
Robert S
RS
Wilson
Denis A
DA
Evans
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D044383:Black People / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D002423:Cause of Death; D002641:Chicago / Q000453:epidemiology; D016001:Confidence Intervals; D003863:Depression / Q000401:mortality; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior / Q000208:ethnology*; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D009026:Mortality / Q000208:ethnology*; D016017:Odds Ratio; D011159:Population Surveillance; D011287:Prejudice; D012307:Risk Factors; D012944:Social Support; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000401:mortality; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D044465:White People / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D001741:Black or African American