Shift in Health Trends: Asian Americans No Longer the Healthiest Older Racial Group in the U.S.

Recent research reveals a significant change in health patterns among older adults in the United States. Once considered the healthiest racial group, Asian Americans are no longer holding that status. A comprehensive study published in The Journals of Gerontology, Series B analyzed data over nearly two decades and found that non-Hispanic white Americans now report lower disability rates in older age brackets. While disability prevalence declined among most racial groups—including Black, Hispanic, and Indigenous populations—the rate among Asian Americans has stagnated. Researchers suggest that increasing income inequality might contribute to these disparities.

Lead author Leafia Ye emphasized that the stereotype of Asian Americans as a 'model minority' with uniformly high achievement and health outcomes does not accurately reflect the current reality. The study showed that from 2005 to 2022, income levels among older Asians increased, yet a rising proportion of this group experiences low socioeconomic status, correlating with increased disability rates. Notably, Asian Americans with lower socioeconomic status faced higher disability rates, an association not seen in other groups.

Historically, older Asian adults, including many foreign-born individuals, tended to live longer and with fewer disabilities than other demographic groups. This was partly attributed to positive health selection—healthier individuals were more likely to immigrate. However, the focus on U.S.-born Asian adults aged 50 and above revealed a different story. Data from the American Community Survey involving over 18 million respondents showed that disability rates among U.S.-born Asians have remained stubbornly stable at about 5.5%, whereas other groups saw continuous declines. Interestingly, the COVID-19 pandemic did not directly impact these trends, as the stagnation began years prior.

The findings highlight the importance of ongoing research to understand and address health disparities within this rapidly growing population segment. Despite their relative health advantage, the plateau in health improvements among U.S.-born Asian older adults signals a need for targeted health interventions and policy considerations.

Source: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-05-asian-americans-longer-healthiest-racial.html