Determinants of Gender Differences in Health among the Elderly in Latin America

Reference Type:
Journal Article

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Author(s):
Trujillo, Antonio J.
Mroz, Thomas A.
Piras, Claudia
Vernon, John A.
Angeles, Gustavo

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Year Published:
2010

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Journal Name:
World Health and Population

Volume Number:
11

Issue Number:
3

Start Page Number:
24-43

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Reference ID:
4485

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Abstract:

This paper identifies the main gender differences in health and socio-economic characteristics of the elderly in four Latin American cities. Using locally weighted regressions as well as a flexible model specification that treats age non-parametrically, we investigate whether these unadjusted gender gaps in health are due to gender differences in the distribution of age and other explanatory variables. Interestingly, for all cities, the analyses show a gender gap in health in favour of males at each age. The gaps are larger when one uses functional impairment in mobility and personal self-care as indicators of an individual's health instead of self-reported health. Furthermore, controlling for demographic characteristics, baseline health and the availability of family support do little to change the disadvantage for women in measured health outcomes. Controlling for socio-economic variables does, however, reduce most of the gender differences in health.

Keyword(s):
Population Movement, Diversity, Inequality

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Citation:

Trujillo, Antonio J.; Mroz, Thomas A.; Piras, Claudia; Vernon, John A.; & Angeles, Gustavo. (2010). Determinants of Gender Differences in Health among the Elderly in Latin America. World Health and Population, 11(3), 24-43.