ARS | Publication request: DISPARITIES IN CHRONIC HEALTH CONDITIONS AMONG OLDER PUERTO RICAN WOMEN IN BOSTON

Submitted to: American Public Health Association Meeting
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: June 7, 2005
Publication Date: December 12, 2005
Citation: Tucker, K.L. Disparities in chronic health conditions among older puerto rican women in boston. American Public Health Association Meeting. 2005

Technical Abstract: We identified significant health disparities, particularly among Puerto Rican women relative to non-Hispanic white women, in a representative survey of Hispanic adults, aged 60+ y, in the state of Massachusetts. Puerto Rican women were more than twice as likely to have type 2 diabetes and depressive symptomatology relative to non-Hispanic white women. They were also significantly more likely to have difficulty with activities of daily living and to show evidence of cognitive decline. Nutritional evaluation showed greater prevalence of low plasma vitamin B12 and serum ferritin, and dietary intakes high in refined carbohydrate with low diversity and nutrient density. Poverty and language isolation were prevalent in this mainly island born group of Puerto Rican women. In response to these observations, we developed the Boston Puerto Rican Center on Population Health and Health Disparities, with the hypothesis that continual stress leads to high "allostatic load" or wear and tear on the body that, along with poor nutrition, leads to the earlier appearance of chronic conditions. This will be examined in a longitudinal cohort of more than 1000 Puerto Rican adults, aged 50-75 years at baseline. Genetic analyses are included to examine diet-gene interactions in relation to health risk. An ethnographic component will aid interpretation of quantitative data, and pilot nutrition interventions, with multivitamins and with fruit and vegetables, will be completed on subgroups. We expect the results of this research to contribute to programs to reduce health disparities for this high risk group.