Is Fear of Falling the Missing Link to Explain Racial Disparities in Fall Risk? Data from the National Health and Aging Trends Study. Issue 4 (3rd July 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Singh, Tanvee; Bélanger, Emmanuelle; Thomas, Kali
• Is Part Of: Clinical gerontologist. Volume 43:Issue 4(2020)
• Page Start: 465
• Page End: 470
• Publication Date: 2020-07-03
• Subjects: Fear of falling -- health disparities -- Medicare beneficiaries -- older adults -- race -- risk factors; Geriatrics -- Periodicals; Geriatric psychiatry -- Periodicals; Older people -- Mental health services -- Periodicals; Older people -- Psychology -- Periodicals; 618.97689
• DOI: 10.1080/07317115.2018.1468377
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0731-7115

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Objectives: Emerging research suggests Black older adults experience a 30% decreased risk for falls compared with their White U.S. counterparts, and this is mediated neither by physical performance nor activity. Fear of falling (FOF) is a significant risk factor for falls, yet we know little about how FOF varies by race/ethnicity. The purpose of this original research brief was to investigate the relationship between race/ethnicity and FOF among older adults. Methods: 4, 981 community-dwelling Medicare beneficiaries from the National Health and Aging Trends Study (NHATS) who had not self-reported a fall in the past 12 months were analyzed. Logistic regression analyses were conducted to examine the association between race/ethnicity and fear of falling, controlling for sex, age, total annual income, and mobility assistance. Results: FOF differed significantly across racial groups. Black, non-Hispanic older adults were less likely to have FOF (OR = .87, 95% CI = .71, 1.07) compared with their White, non-Hispanic counterparts. In the fully adjusted model, this difference persisted and became stronger (adjusted OR = .75, 95%CI = .61, .93). Conclusion: The decreased risk for falls in Black older adults could be explained by lower FOF in this group. Clinical Implications: These findings should inform public health fall prevention initiatives among community-dwelling older adults.