Health Disparities, Social Class, and Aging

This chapter discusses previous research on the interrelationships between health disparities, social class, and aging as they relate to psychological dimensions of the human condition. Health disparities are described as differences in the incidence, prevalence, mortality, burden of diseases, and other adverse health conditions or outcomes between minority and majority population groups. Health disparities have been observed in gender, age, ethnicity, socioeconomic status (SES), geography, sexual orientation, disability, and special health care needs. Disparities occur among groups who have persistently experienced historical trauma, social disadvantage, or discrimination, and systematically experience worse health or greater health risks than more advantaged social groups. Therefore, to understand the psychology of aging for ethnic and social minority groups, it draws from disciplines that include medical, biomedical, sociology, public health, and the humanities. Studies examining the association between educational histories and health indicators are limited, but have the potential to provide important and fine distinctions in understanding SES disparities in health outcomes. © 2011