Links of Previous Incarceration With Geriatric Syndromes and Chronic Health Conditions Among Older Adults in the US

TL;DR

This study finds that older adults in the US with a history of incarceration face higher risks of health issues like difficulty walking, depression, and chronic lung disease.

Contribution

The study is among the first to explore the long-term health effects of incarceration on geriatric syndromes and chronic conditions in older adults.

Findings

Incarcerated individuals had higher odds of difficulty walking and activities of daily living.

They also had increased odds of cancer, depression, and chronic lung disease diagnoses.

Spouse/partner study participants showed elevated risks for difficulty seeing and heavy alcohol use.

Abstract

This study investigated the association between previous incarceration and various geriatric and chronic health conditions among adults 50 and older in the United States. Data came from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health—Parent Study (AHPS) collected in 2015–2017, including 2,007 individuals who participated in the parent study (Parent Sample) and 976 individuals who participated in the spouse/partner study (Spouse/Partner Sample). Multiple logistic regression was used to investigate the relationship between previous incarceration and geriatric syndromes (dementia, difficulty walking, difficulty seeing, difficulty with activities of daily living) and chronic health conditions (self-reported poor/fair health, diagnosis of cancer, hypertension, diabetes, heart disease, stroke, chronic lung disease, depression, and alcohol use [4 or more drinks per week]). In adjusted analyses, respondents with previous incarceration in the AHPS had significantly higher odds of reporting difficulty walking, activities of daily living difficulty, cancer diagnosis, depression diagnosis, and chronic lung disease (adjusted odds ratios [aORs] = 2.21–2.95). Respondents in the AHPS spouse/partner study reported higher odds of difficulty seeing, cancer, depression, chronic lung disease, and heavy alcohol use (aORs = 1.02–2.15). Previous incarceration may have an adverse impact on healthy aging. Findings highlight the importance of addressing the enduring health impacts of incarceration, particularly as individuals transition into older adulthood.