Prevalence and Correlates of Disability in a Late Middle-Aged Population of Women

Objective: This study estimates the prevalence of disability among late middle-aged women and identifies important correlates of disability among this population. Method: Disability was assessed among 376 participants of the Michigan Study of Women's Health Across the Nation cohort at the 2011 follow-up using the World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule. Demographic and health measures were related to disability status using logistic regression models (none or mild vs. moderate, severe, or extreme disability). Results: Nearly 25% of women reported moderate to extreme global disability. African American race/ethnicity, economic strain, peripheral neuropathy, and depressive symptomatology were associated with global disability. Obesity, knee osteoarthritis, and hypertension were only associated with disability for the mobility domain (getting around). Discussion: The prevalence of disability is relatively high among this population of late middle-aged women. Efforts to prevent or forestall disability should be extended to include middle-aged populations as they may be most amenable to intervention.