Blacks, especially women, suffer more disabilities in later years than whites do

Blacks, especially women, suffer more disabilities in later years than whites do

"Reasons for this racial disparity in old age are probably rooted in differences that began in youth, the authors said. For example, relative to whites, blacks are more likely to have been in worse health and uninsured earlier in life, and to have higher rates of obesity and cardiovascular risk factors.

For Americans in late years, disabilities curtail even routine activities and open a new phase of unmet needs. That experience arrives earlier for blacks and complicates independent living, researchers found."