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Journal of Aging and Health
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Social Inequalities in Grip Strength, Physical Function, and Falls Among Community Dwelling Older Men and Women

Findings From the Hertfordshire Cohort Study

Holly Syddall, MSc

University of Southampton, UK, hes{at}mrc.soton.ac.uk

Maria Evandrou, PhD

University of Southampton, UK

Cyrus Cooper, DM, FRCP, FMedSci

University of Southampton, UK

Avan Aihie Sayer, PhD, FRCP

University of Southampton, UK

Objectives: To explore social inequalities in grip strength, SF-36 physical functioning (PF), and falls among older people. Methods: We analyzed data from 3,225 men and women (age 59-73 years) who participated in the Hertfordshire Cohort Study, United Kingdom. Car availability and home ownership were used as markers of material deprivation. Results: A total of 6.4% of men (17.7% women) had no car and 19.3% of men (23.1% women) did not own their home. Having fewer cars was associated with lower grip and poorer PF among men and women (p < .001), and increased falls among men (p < .001). Not owning one’s home was associated with lower grip in men and women (p < .001) and poorer PF in men (p < .001). Lower social class was associated with falls among women only (p = .01). Discussion: There are social inequalities in grip strength, PF, and falls among older people. Interventions should consider the contribution of social inequalities to the problem.

Key Words: social inequalities • material deprivation • grip strength • physical function • falls • older people

This version was published on September 1, 2009

Journal of Aging and Health, Vol. 21, No. 6, 913-939 (2009)
DOI: 10.1177/0898264309340793
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