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. 2004 May;94(5):823-9.
doi: 10.2105/ajph.94.5.823.

Vision impairment and hearing loss among community-dwelling older Americans: implications for health and functioning

John E Crews  1 , Vincent A Campbell
Affiliations

Vision impairment and hearing loss among community-dwelling older Americans: implications for health and functioning

John E Crews et al. Am J Public Health. 2004 May.

Abstract

Objectives: We investigated the health, activity, and social participation of people aged 70 years or older with vision impairment, hearing loss, or both.

Methods: We examined the 1994 Second Supplement on Aging to determine the health and activities of these 3 groups compared with those without sensory loss. We calculated odds ratios and classified variables according to the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health framework.

Results: Older people with only hearing loss reported disparities in health, activities, and social roles; those with only vision impairment reported greater disparities; and those with both reported the greatest disparities.

Conclusions: A hierarchical pattern emerged as impairments predicted consistent disparities in activities and social participation. This population's patterns of health and activities have public health implications.

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References

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