The Impact of Prior Incarceration on Long-Term Health in Older Adults

Recent research has highlighted a concerning link between a history of incarceration and health issues in older adults. Even among those who were incarcerated many years ago, individuals report significantly worse physical and mental health compared to their peers without such a history. This comprehensive study analyzed responses from 1,318 U.S. adults aged 50 and above, finding that about 21% had experienced incarceration at some point.

The study revealed that formerly incarcerated older adults are more likely to be men, belong to non-Hispanic Black or other racial/ethnic groups, and face greater challenges such as disability, lower income, and lower educational attainment. Notably, the association between prior incarceration and poorer self-rated health persisted regardless of how long ago the incarceration occurred, with even those incarcerated over a decade ago reporting worse health.

Furthermore, mental health disparities observed among this group appear partly due to socioeconomic factors like income and employment status. The findings emphasize the importance for healthcare providers to consider incarceration history during patient assessments. Screening for such background information can enable clinicians to connect patients with targeted community resources and support services.

Dr. Louisa W. Holaday, the study’s lead author from the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, stresses the importance of understanding how incarceration—past or present—affects health in older populations. As mass incarceration has been a pervasive social issue since 1973, millions of older adults have spent significant parts of their lives in correctional facilities, impacting their health trajectory.

This study underscores the need for a broader awareness and tailored healthcare approaches to address the lasting effects of incarceration among aging populations.