Asian Americans no longer healthiest older adult group, study finds

Asian Americans have lost their long-held status as the healthiest racial group among older U.S.-born adults, according to a recent study. The research, led by sociologist Leafia Zi Ye of the University of Toronto, reveals that while disability rates have declined for other racial groups since 2005, they have remained stagnant or worsened for U.S.-born Asian Americans aged 50 and older.

Between 2005 and 2009, only 5.5% of older U.S.-born Asian Americans reported difficulty performing tasks like grocery shopping alone, compared to 7% of white and 14% of Black older adults. By 2020–2022, disability rates had dropped to under 5% for white adults and 10% for Black adults, but remained unchanged for Asian Americans.

The study attributes this shift to socioeconomic disparities. While income levels rose for most groups during the study period, the proportion of older Asian Americans living on low incomes increased. This economic strain correlated with a rise in disability rates among low-income Asian Americans, a trend not observed in other racial groups.

The findings challenge the “model minority” stereotype that portrays Asian Americans as universally successful and healthy. Lead author Leafia Ye noted that this perception masks the real challenges faced by U.S.-born Asian Americans, particularly those with lower socioeconomic status.

The study also highlights the importance of disaggregating health data. Previous research often combined foreign-born and U.S.-born Asian Americans, obscuring differences in health outcomes. Foreign-born Asian Americans often arrive with health advantages due to selective immigration, whereas U.S.-born individuals do not share this benefit.

The research underscores the need for targeted public health interventions and policies that address the specific needs of older U.S.-born Asian Americans. As the Asian American population ages, understanding and addressing these disparities becomes increasingly critical.