SRPP Section Student Poster Award Finalists

• Published in: Innovation in aging 2018-11, Vol.2 (suppl_1), p.330-330
• Main Authors: Kler, S, Samuel, L, Thomas, K
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Abstracts
• ISSN: 2399-5300; 2399-5300
• DOI: 10.1093/geroni/igy023.1208

Older adults are increasingly spending more of their income on housing, which is associated with reduced spending on health care needs. This study tests the association between housing cost burden (HCB) and health with a nationally representative sample of community-dwelling older adults. Using the 2011 National Health and Aging Trends Study, we compared participants with any housing costs (n=2,300) to those with no housing costs (n=3,665). Among those with housing costs, HCB was calculated as the proportion of income spent on rent or mortgage and subdivided into established levels of HCB: low (≤0.3, referent), moderate (0.3 to ≤0.5), severe (>0.5). Our dependent variables were poor self-rated health, ≥2 chronic conditions, depressive and/or anxiety symptoms, and functional limitations (Short Physical Performance Battery score ≤8). Weighted logistic regression models adjust for age, sex, race, and education. Having housing costs is associated with poorer self-rated health (OR=1.31, 95%CI [1.09, 1.56]), and higher likelihoods of multiple chronic conditions (OR=1.19, 95%CI [1.01, 1.40]), depressive/anxiety symptoms (OR=1.30, 95%CI [1.12, 1.51]), and functional limitations (OR=1.27, 95%CI [1.08, 1.48]). Among participants with housing costs, moderate HCB is associated with poorer self-rated health (OR=1.36, 95%CI [1.03, 1,78]) and functional limitations (OR=1.62, 95%CI [1.22, 2.14]), while severe HCB is associated with depressive/anxiety symptoms (OR=1.51, 95%CI [1.15, 1.99]), and functional limitations (OR=1.49, 95%CI [1.12, 1.98]). Among older adults, housing costs and HCB (among those with costs) are associated with higher risk for poor mental and physical health. This study points to HCB as a social determinant of health for older adults.