Irma T. Elo|Samuel H. Preston|Ira Rosenwaike|Mark Hill|Timothy Cheney
Consistency of Age Reporting on Death Certificates and Social Security Records among Elderly African Americans
University of Pennsylvania|University of Pennsylvania|University of Pennsylvania|University of Pennsylvania|University of Pennsylvania
paper investigates quality age data among african americans two sets government documents extensively used study health mortality among elderly united states namely vital statistics medicaresocial security data analyses reveal significant inconsistencies age reporting two sources linkage records third data source us censuses 1900 1910 1920 reveals social security data provide superior source age information among elderly african americans although quality data highest ages source also suspect analyses factors associated consistency age reporting two sources identify birth record availability literacy key influences authors conclude studies involving elderly african americans institute independent age verification procedures baseline interview order draw accurate conclusions agerelated processes among population subgroup