331395
Ageism as a risk factor for chronic disease: Implications for practice
Ageism is one of the most socially-condoned and institutionalized forms of prejudice in the United States. Older adults are discriminated against in employment, healthcare, and other areas. Exposure to unfavorable stereotypes adversely affects the attitudes, cognitions, and behavior of older adults. Repeated exposure to discrimination and negative stereotypes can make ageism function as a chronic stressor in the lives of older adults. Geronimus’ weathering hypothesis posits that the cumulative effects of chronic objective and subjective stressors and high-effort coping cause deterioration of the body and premature aging. Researchers have found empirical support for the weathering hypothesis and its theorized contribution to racial and ethnic disparities in chronic disease. Although ageism is not experienced over the entire life course, as racism typically is, repeated exposure to chronic stressors associated with age discrimination and stereotypes may affect health through similar mechanisms. Understanding and addressing ageism is a promising and largely unexplored strategy for decreasing the burden of chronic disease in the aging population. Professionals working with aging adults can mediate the ill effects of ageism on the health of older adults in several ways. Specific suggestions, strategies, and tools will be introduced. If ageism is a social determinant of chronic disease, then reducing or eliminating ageism could prevent health problems and improve quality of life for many people in the latter portion of the life span.
Learning Areas:
Chronic disease management and prevention
Diversity and culture
Social and behavioral sciences
Learning Objectives:
Analyze different ways in which ageism may function as a source of chronic stress in the lives of older adults.
Explain how ageism may increase risk for chronic disease via physiological stress mechanisms.
Identify specific ways in which professionals in health and other fields may be able to better identify and address ageism across multiple arenas and, thus, reduce chronic disease risk among older adults.
Keyword(s): Marginalization, Chronic Disease Prevention
Presenting author's disclosure statement:Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I am currently a doctoral student in Health Behavior and Health Education at the University of Michigan. My research focuses on how social determinants of health contribute to stress and disparities in physical and mental health. I conceptualized the ideas presented in this paper.
Any relevant financial relationships? No
I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines,
and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed
in my presentation.
