Kathleen Ann McCarthy, RN, MSPH, Community Health Sciences, UCLA School of Public Health, Box 951772, Los Angeles, CA 90095-1772, 323-224-5331, kmccarth@ucla.edu

Despite empirical evidence of persistent health disparities between older African-Americans and whites, there is modest examination of physical functioning differences between older adults. Physical functioning is an important component of healthy aging that reflects an individual’s physical ability to meet the demands of the environment. Difficulties in physical functioning have been found to reduce the likelihood of physical activity which can increase the risk of: disability or inability to perform daily activities, obesity, cognitive impairment, comorbidity, injury, depression, institutionalization, and mortality. National data shows that older African-Americans have higher rates of physical limitations than non-Latino whites. In addition they spend more of their later years living with limitations.Much is known about the physiological variations caused by disease, aging, and other health conditions that result in limitations in physical functioning. However, less is known about the role of race, socioeconomic status and other social factors in determining the level of physical functioning. How individuals accomodate and adapt to losses in physical functioning is mediated by their access to social and material resources. Consequently the study of physical health in older adults is a compelling public health issue in light of a diverse, aging population. This paper reviews literature on physical functioning among older African-Americans and non-Latino whites to critically evaluate theoretical frameworks and methodologies that have been used to date. A new direction is offered to conceptualize physical functioning as a health disparity that can be analyzed in the context of unequal distribution of economic opportunities, and material and social resources.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, attendees will abe able to

• Distinguish between a biomedical framework and a health inequality framework of physical functioning.
• Analyze the differences in physical functioning between African-Americans and whites.
• Discuss social factors associated with the physical health differences.

Keywords: Elderly, Physical Activity

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.