Pain Intensity among Community-Dwelling African American Older Adults in an Economically Disadvantaged Area of Los Angeles: Social, Behavioral, and Health Determinants

Abstract

Background. Although social, behavioral, and health factors influence prevalence and intensity of pain, very few studies have investigated correlates of pain among economically disadvantaged older African American (AA) adults. Objective. This study explored social, behavioral, and health correlates of pain intensity among community-dwelling AA older adults in an economically disadvantaged area of Los Angeles. Methods. A cross-sectional study on 740 AA older adults (age ≥ 55 years) was conducted in South Los Angeles between 2015 and 2018. Exploratory variables were age, gender, educational attainment, financial difficulties, living alone, marital status, smoking, drinking, pain-related chronic medical conditions (CMCs), and depressive symptoms. Dependent variable was pain intensity. Linear regression was used for data analysis. Results. Age, financial difficulties, living alone, smoking, pain-related chronic medical conditions, and depressive symptoms were associated with pain intensity. Individuals with lower age, higher financial difficulties, those who lived alone, those with a higher number of pain-related chronic medical conditions, more depressive symptoms, and nonsmokers reported more pain intensity. Gender, educational attainment, marital status, and drinking were not associated with pain intensity. Conclusion. The results may help with the health promotion of economically disadvantaged AA older adults in urban areas.

Smoking Status and Well-Being of Underserved African American Older Adults

“…This community-based cross-sectional study surveyed a convenience sample (n = 740) of older African Americans residing in South Los Angeles [3,4,6,[28][29][30][31]. Also referred to as "South Los Angeles" Service Planning Area 6 of Los Angeles County, which serves the communities of Athens, Compton, Crenshaw, Florence, Hyde Park, Lynwood, Paramount, and Watts.…”

“…This subset of older adults is faced with numerous health disparities, including lower rates of preventative health services and a greater delay in care. Individuals enrolled in any type of nursing facility, enrolled in any other research study, and who have observable intellectual impairments, were excluded from this study [3,4,6,[28][29][30][31].…”

“…Potential participants were recruited through various methods, including flyers in community areas and healthcare clinics. In addition, potential participants were referred by healthcare providers and already-enrolled participants [3,4,6,[28][29][30][31].…”

Tradução e validação preliminar da “Incharge Financial Distress/ Financial Well- Being Scale” para o português brasileiro

“…Podem ser resultantes de catástrofes mais geograficamente localizadas como tsunamis (Yabe et al, 2017). Sofrimento econômico também ocorre isoladamente em indivíduos que contraem dívidas superiores a capacidade de pagamento (Ochsmann et al, 2009), ou que não dispõe de recursos para realizar as despesas básicas (Evans et al, 2019). Esse impacto parece apresentar maior grau em países menos desenvolvidos, devido à grande desigualdade social e educacional da população.…”

Psychotropic and Opioid-Based Medication Use among Economically Disadvantaged African-American Older Adults

“…Multiple studies have shown that African-American older adults with experience chronic and intense pain may be untreated or under-treated for their pain [ 4 , 5 , 6 ]. A review of current literature clearly shows a disparity in the management of pain among older African-American adults [ 7 ].…”