Menopause

Author(s):  
Funmilola M. OlaOlorun ◽  
Wen Shen

Menopause is the natural senescence of ovarian hormonal production, and it eventually occurs in every woman. The age at which menopause occurs varies between cultures and ethnicities. Menopause can also be the result of medical or surgical interventions, in which case it can occur at a much younger age. Primary symptoms, as well as attitudes toward menopause, also vary between cultures. Presently, the gold standard for treatment of menopause symptoms is hormone therapy; however, many other options have also been shown to be efficacious, and active research is ongoing to develop better and safer treatments. In a high-resource setting, the sequelae/physiologic changes associated with menopause can impact a woman’s physical and mental health for the rest of her life. In addition to “hot flashes,” other less well-known conditions include heart disease, osteoporosis, metabolic syndrome, depression, and cognitive decline. In the United States, cardiac disease is the leading cause of mortality in women over the age of 65. The growing understanding of the physiology of menopause is beginning to inform strategies either to prevent or to attenuate these common health conditions. As the baby boomers age, the distribution of age cohorts will increase the burden of disease toward post-reproductive women. In addition to providing appropriate medical care, public health efforts must focus on this population due to the financial impact of this age cohort of women.

Author(s):  
Allegra R Gordon ◽  
Jessica N Fish ◽  
Wouter J Kiekens ◽  
Marguerita Lightfoot ◽  
David M Frost ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Sexual minority populations in the United States have persistently higher rates of cigarette use than heterosexuals, partially driven by exposure to minority stressors (e.g., discrimination and victimization). Little is known about cigarette use across cohorts of sexual minority adults who came of age in distinctly different sociopolitical environments. Purpose To examine cigarette use and minority stressors across three age cohorts of U.S. sexual minority adults. Methods We used data from the Generations Study, a nationally representative sample (N = 1,500) of White, Black, and Latino/a sexual minority adults in three age cohorts (younger: 18–25 years; middle: 34–41 years; and older: 52–59 years). Survey data were collected from March 2016 to March 2017. We used sex-stratified logistic regression models to estimate adjusted odds ratios (aORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for associations between age cohort, minority stressors (discrimination and victimization), and two indicators of cigarette smoking (lifetime use and current use). Results Prevalence of current cigarette use in each age cohort was high (younger: 20%; middle: 33%; and older: 29%). Relative to the younger cohort, men and women in the middle- and older-age cohorts had significantly higher odds of lifetime and current smoking (e.g., men, current, aOR [95% CI]: middle = 2.47 [1.34, 4.52], older = 2.85 [1.66, 4.93]). Minority stressors were independently associated with higher odds of current smoking; when victimization was included, the magnitude of the association between age cohort and current smoking was diminished but remained significant. Conclusions Smoking cessation interventions must consider the role of minority stress and the unique needs of sexual minority people across the life course.


1992 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 4-6 ◽  
Author(s):  
C.W. Douglass

While the population of the United States increases from 250 to 310 million people, the number in older age groups will increase dramatically from 28 million to about 64 million. Tooth retention has improved remarkably in the 65-74 age groups, from 7.4 in 1962 to 17.9 in 1986. While younger age groups will require less treatment due to decline in dental caries, older age groups appear to require more treatment than did similar age cohorts in previous generations. Hence, the need for restorative procedures by the United States population will be on an upward trend for the next decade or two.


2021 ◽  
Vol 15 (2) ◽  
pp. 334-352
Author(s):  
Vachaspati Shukla

This article attempts to evaluate differential progress in educational attainment across social groups segregating the attainments at the level of age cohorts. It argues that mapping of educational attainment across age cohorts offers a robust understanding of educational progress, as it sheds light on the likelihood of younger age-groups getting educated in comparison with the older ones. This article examines attainments across five levels of education among the population subgroups which are categorised based on region (rural–urban), social background (SC/ST and Others), and gender (male–female) among others. The analysis reveals that group disparities tend to be lower among the younger age groups but increase along with rising levels of educational attainment. Gender disparity nearly disappears in the youngest age cohort among the better off groups. This exercise at the level of age cohorts offers an optimism that differentials seem to narrow down in recent times, which is not as stark at the aggregate subgroup levels.


2006 ◽  
Vol 31 (3) ◽  
pp. 18-25 ◽  
Author(s):  
Judy Cashmore ◽  
Marina Paxman

Young people ‘ageing out of care’ have to manage multiple transitions – leaving ‘home’, moving into independent accommodation, leaving school and trying to find work or some other means of support, becoming financially independent, and often becoming parents - at a much younger age and with fewer resources and supports than other young people their age. This paper presents the findings of the fourth interview in the follow-up to the Longitudinal Study of Wards Leaving Care study in New South Wales, and focuses on three main questions. How were these young people faring 4–5 years after leaving care compared with other young people their age? How were they faring compared with their circumstances and outcomes 12 months after leaving care? What predicted better outcomes and not-so-good outcomes? While the pattern of low levels of educational attainment, and high rates of unemployment, mobility, homelessness, financial difficulty, loneliness and physical and mental health problems was consistent with that from other research in England, Ireland, Canada and the United States, some young people were faring quite well and much better than others. Understanding why is important in trying to support young people leaving care. The paper highlights some of the implications for policy and practice.


Author(s):  
Anthony Campitelli ◽  
Sally Paulson ◽  
Jennifer Vincenzo ◽  
Jordan M. Glenn ◽  
Joshua L. Gills ◽  
...  

Lower-body power measured by a linear position transducer during the sit-to-stand (STS) movement declines with age and may be a predictor of physical disability in older adults. The purpose of this study was to establish normative data for STS power across the lifespan and to determine if differences exist between age cohorts, sexes, and age cohort–sex subgroups. Adults (N = 557) aged 18–89 were divided into five age cohorts and performed the STS connected to a linear position transducer, which calculated power and velocity during the movement. Significantly lower (p < .01) velocity was observed in a younger age cohort in females than males, whereas males saw a significant average power decrement (p < .01) in a younger age cohort than females. STS power norms give clinicians a metric predicting physical disability and may be of particular interest to males as their power production begins to decline at an earlier age.


2021 ◽  
Vol 36 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Chukwuemeka N Okafor ◽  
Matt Asare ◽  
Karla J Bautista ◽  
Ijeoma Opara

The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic in the United States can negatively impact physical and mental health. Participants were asked about psychosocial factors associated with experiencing symptoms of distress via surveys distributed on Social Media . Results showed that younger age, unemployment/losing wages/job, worse perceived general health (compared to excellent health) and recent smoking were consistently associated with increased odds of feelings of depression and anxiety. Further, females (aOR=1.96, 95% CI: 1.24, 3.11) was associated with increased odds of feelings of depression. Findings reinforce a call for widespread, targeted prevention and treatment interventions for particular groups.


2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Tess D. Pottinger ◽  
Sadiya S. Khan ◽  
Yinan Zheng ◽  
Wei Zhang ◽  
Hilary A. Tindle ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Cardiovascular health (CVH) has been defined by the American Heart Association (AHA) as the presence of the “Life’s Simple 7” ideal lifestyle and clinical factors. CVH is known to predict longevity and freedom from cardiovascular disease, the leading cause of death for women in the United States. DNA methylation markers of aging have been aggregated into a composite epigenetic age score, which is associated with cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. However, it is unknown whether poor CVH is associated with acceleration of aging as measured by DNA methylation markers in epigenetic age. Methods and results We performed a cross-sectional analysis of racially/ethnically diverse post-menopausal women enrolled in the Women’s Health Initiative cohort recruited between 1993 and 1998. Epigenetic age acceleration (EAA) was calculated using DNA methylation data on a subset of participants and the published Horvath and Hannum methods for intrinsic and extrinsic EAA. CVH was calculated using the AHA measures of CVH contributing to a 7-point score. We examined the association between CVH score and EAA using linear regression modeling adjusting for self-reported race/ethnicity and education. Among the 2,170 participants analyzed, 50% were white and mean age was 64 (7 SD) years. Higher or more favorable CVH scores were associated with lower extrinsic EAA (~ 6 months younger age per 1 point higher CVH score, p < 0.0001), and lower intrinsic EAA (3 months younger age per 1 point higher CVH score, p < 0.028). Conclusions These cross-sectional observations suggest a possible mechanism by which ideal CVH is associated with greater longevity.


Author(s):  
Alyssa Schneider ◽  
Emily B. Kroska

The COVID-19 pandemic has deleteriously impacted physical and mental health. Guidelines to limit the spread of COVID-19 include wearing a face covering in public, limiting close contacts, and physical distancing. In combatting this and future pandemics, it is essential to understand predictors of adherence, such as psychological flexibility. We hypothesized higher psychological flexibility would relate to greater adherence to public health guidelines. Participants (n = 265) were English-reading/speaking adults in the United States and were recruited through Amazon’s Mechanical Turk. Included in the present analyses are data from June (n = 360) and July 2020 (n = 265). Measures included the Comprehensive Assessment of ACT Processes (CompACT), which measured psychological flexibility. Outcome measures included mask-wearing and number of close contacts, which were operationalized categorically (100% mask-wearing in public, ≤10 close contacts in past week). Two logistic regression models examined psychological flexibility and distress as predictors of adherence to mask-wearing and limiting close contacts, while controlling for demographic correlates. Results indicated that greater behavioral awareness predicted greater odds of mask-wearing and limiting close contacts. Psychological flexibility, and behavioral awareness specifically, should be investigated in future research as targets for intervention amidst global disasters.


2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 61-61
Author(s):  
Ethan Siu Leung Cheung ◽  
Ada Mui

Abstract This study uses Wave 3 National Social Life, Health and Aging Project to examine the correlation between age cohorts [60s (n=1204); 70s (n=1176); 80 and older (n= 724)], cognitive status, and depression symptoms. In the total sample, 53.90% were females, 76.15% Whites, 15.29% Blacks, and 8.56% Asians. Compared to the 60s and 70s cohorts, 80+ cohort was cognitively more impaired [Mean (SD) of MoCA Short Form were 10.7(2.9), 10.0(3.2), and 8.1(3.6)]. There were no age cohorts’ differences in depressive symptoms experienced (Mean of CESD Short Form = 21.03; SD = 4.06). In order to identify predictors of depression, multiple hierarchical regressions were performed. The 60s sample was the reference group to compare with 70s and 80s cohorts. Results showed that age cohort variables had a significant independent effect as well as a joint effect with cognitive status in explaining depression scores. For each age cohort group, parallel regression analyses were conducted and all models were significant. Findings suggest that ADL impairment was the only common predictor for depressive symptoms for the three cohort groups, and the association was the strongest for the 60s cohort (b = .31). Other unique predictors for 60s cohort were lower-income, more IADLs impairment, higher stress and cognitive impairment. For the 70s cohort, unique predictors of depressive symptoms were female gender, unmarried, and less socialization. For the 80 and above group, correlates of depression are female, White, and high stress level. Findings highlight the necessity of age-sensitive programs on depression support for community-dwelling older Americans.


Author(s):  
Hui Liu ◽  
Ning Hsieh ◽  
Zhenmei Zhang ◽  
Yan Zhang ◽  
Kenneth M Langa

Abstract Objectives We provide the first nationally representative population-based study of cognitive disparities among same-sex and different-sex couples in the United States. Methods We analyzed data from the Health and Retirement Study (2000–2016). The sample included 23,669 respondents (196 same-sex partners and 23,473 different-sex partners) aged 50 and older who contributed to 85,117 person-period records (496 from same-sex partners and 84,621 from different-sex partners). Cognitive impairment was assessed using the modified version of the Telephone Interview for Cognitive Status. Mixed-effects discrete-time hazard regression models were estimated to predict the odds of cognitive impairment. Results The estimated odds of cognitive impairment were 78% (p &lt; .01) higher for same-sex partners than for different-sex partners. This disparity was mainly explained by differences in marital status and, to a much lesser extent, by differences in physical and mental health. Specifically, a significantly higher proportion of same-sex partners than different-sex partners were cohabiting rather than legally married (72.98% vs. 5.42% in the study sample), and cohabitors had a significantly higher risk of cognitive impairment than their married counterparts (odds ratio = 1.53, p &lt; .001). Discussion The findings indicate that designing and implementing public policies and programs that work to eliminate societal homophobia, especially among older adults, is a critical step in reducing the elevated risk of cognitive impairment among older same-sex couples.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document