Falls, Disability and Food Insecurity Present Challenges to Healthy Aging

Publication Date: May 2007

Publisher: UCLA Center for Health Policy Research

Author(s): Steven P. Wallace; L. Cricel Molina; Mona Jhawar

Research Area: Health

Keywords: senior health; hunger; aging

Type: Brief

Coverage: California

Abstract:

Falls, disability and hunger are surprisingly common aspects of life for California seniors, according to this policy brief from the UCLA Center for Health Policy Research. More than one out of five California seniors experience one or more of these issues which – separate from medical conditions often related to aging – present significant challenges to independent living. Using data from the 2003 California Health Interview Survey, the authors look at the prevalence of falls, disability, and hunger among California seniors, and then analyze how these issues relate to each other. The authors also identify relationships between these issues and incident of chronic health conditions, income, and race/ethnicity.