Examining the Health and Well-Being of Older Black Women in Canada

<p>Inequities in health systematically put groups of people who are socially disadvantaged due to</p><p>being poor female a particular age and/or a member of a disenfranchised racial group at further</p><p>disadvantage. Black people comprise 3% of Canada's population and are more likely to be exposed</p><p>to risk but less likely to seek preventative care. Older Black women face further disadvantages</p><p>because of multiple intersecting factors related to their race gender and age. This dissertation</p><p>presents findings from a sequential mixed methods study conducted to understand the health</p><p>wellbeing and aging experiences of older Black women aged 55 and older in Canada. The study</p><p>design and data analysis were informed by two theoretical frameworks: intersectionality and the</p><p>life course perspective. First using data from the Canadian Community Health Survey (CCHS)</p><p>several multilevel logistic regression models were used to establish and compare association</p><p>between racial identity and inequalities in hypertension diabetes cancer chronic obstructive</p><p>pulmonary disease (COPD) asthma self-rated health and self-rated mental health between Black</p><p>and White men and women aged 55 and older. Second qualitative phenomenological interviews</p><p>were conducted simultaneously to gain a deeper understanding of the health and wellbeing of older</p><p>Black women and factors that have influenced their health and wellbeing across their life course.</p><p>These were factors that could not be deeply explored through the CCHS. Twenty-seven semistructured</p><p>interviews were conducted with Black women aged 55 and older living in the Greater</p><p>Toronto Area. Following the conclusion of the first two phases a thematic content analysis was</p><p>completed for eight policy documents to determine whether and how the need for adequate housing</p><p>among older Black women was addressed. These needs were identified in the semi-structured</p><p>interviews conducted in the previous qualitative phase of the study.</p>