By Laurel White
A new study from a School of Education faculty member shows that, despite experiencing ageism at similar levels, the physical health outcomes related to these experiences are different among white and Black adults in the U.S.
The study, published in the Journal of Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities, used data from roughly 130 individuals in the U.S. ages 50 or older. It found that Black adults were more likely to experience negative physical health outcomes related to experiencing age discrimination, while the health of white adults was more likely to be negatively affected by internalized ageism. Previous research has shown links between ageism and poor health outcomes including cognitive decline, depression, chronic disease, and premature mortality.
Ageism is stereotypes, prejudice, and discrimination on the grounds of a person’s age. Age discrimination is when an individual is treated unfairly or less favorably because of their age. Internalized ageism occurs when individuals apply age-related societal biases and stereotypes to themselves, resulting in lower expectations for their own well-being later in life.
Julie Ober Allen, an assistant professor in the School of Education’s Department of Kinesiology and lead author of the study, says she hopes the analysis will help inform more effective and age-friendly practice, policy, and interventions to promote older adult health.
“Understanding variations in how different populations are affected by ageism will help us better combat its negative health effects,” she says.
Allen says some anti-ageism initiatives focus on helping adults have more positive expectations of aging — a focus that, according to her new study, may be more helpful to white adults than Black adults.
Notably, the study also found reported incidents of ageism and age-based discrimination were significantly higher between 2021-2023 than prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. Reported amounts of positive expectations of aging were also higher.
“These findings may offer insight into how heightened expressions and awareness of ageism during the pandemic have affected older adults,” Allen says.
Allen’s co-authors on the study were Valerie Moïse and Saryu Onishi of the University of Oklahoma. Allen recently joined the School of Education from the University of Oklahoma.
Read the full study, “Black-White Differences Related to Ageism and Health: Evidence from the Experiences of Aging in Society Project,” here.