Social isolation and sensory difficulties: a comparison of populations from Mexico and the United States

Objectives: This cross-sectional study examined differences in the prevalence of sensory difficulties (vision/hearing) and concurrent social isolation among older adults from Mexico and the United States. Methods: Using data from the Mexican Health and Aging Study (age 50+) and the Health and Retirement Study (ages 51+), we explored how sensory difficulties are related to social isolation among Mexican, U.S. Hispanic, and U.S. non-Hispanic older adults. Social isolation was measured by assessing whether participants lived alone, had weekly contact with children and friends/relatives, and participated in weekly social activities. Results: An ANOVA analysis identified that Mexican Health and Aging Study and U.S. Hispanic individuals had higher rates of vision and hearing difficulties than U.S. non-Hispanics, yet social isolation was lower. Regression models with hearing and vision difficulties predicting social isolation by country/ethnicity indicated that sensory difficulties are more strongly related to social isolation for U.S. non-Hispanic individuals compared to U.S. Hispanic and Mexican individuals. Discussion: Sensory difficulties, including vision and hearing difficulties, are prevalent among older adults, disproportionately affecting Mexican and U.S. Hispanic individuals. Social determinants of health are potential drivers of these disparities. Mexican and U.S. Hispanic older adults experience lower levels of social isolation, potentially because of culturally motivated familismo.