Ivy Huang|John Neuhaus|Winston Chiong
Racial and Ethnic Differences in Advance Directive Possession: Role of Demographic Factors, Religious Affiliation, and Personal Health Values in a National Survey of Older Adults
Northwestern University|University of California, San Francisco|University of California, San Francisco
black hispanic older americans less likely white older americans possess advance directives understanding reasons racial ethnic difference necessary identify targets future interventions improve advance care planning populationsthe aim study evaluate whether racial ethnic differences advance directive possession explained demographic factors religious characteristics personal health values general population survey conducted nationally representative sample using webenabled survey panel american adults aged 50 older n 2154in sample older americans white participants significantly likely possess advance directives 440 black older americans 240 p 0001 hispanic older americans 290 p 0006 gender age retired disabled employment status educational attainment religious affiliation internet access preferences physiciancentered decision making desiring longevity regardless functional status independent predictors advance directive possession fully adjusted multivariable models predictors included black older americans remained significantly less likely white older americans advance directive odds ratio 042 95 confidence interval ci 024075 whereas effect hispanic ethnicity longer statistically significant 065 95 ci 03911in nationally representative sample black race independent predictor advance directive possession association remains even adjustment demographic variables religious characteristics personal health values findings support targeted efforts mitigate racial disparities access advance care planning