Influence of Natural Disasters on the Long-term Incidence of Depressive Symptoms, Cognitive Impairment, and Limitations in Activities of Daily Living Among Older Mexican Americans

Objectives. To estimate the risk factors, including exposure to natural disasters, associated with incident depressive symptoms, cognitive impairment, and limitations in activities of daily living among older Mexican Americans. Methods. I performed multivariable logistic regression of the H-EPESE from Wave 5 (2004-2005) to Wave 7 (2010-2011) to examine the incidence of three health outcomes. The analyses were restricted to participants that did not have indicators of 1) depressive symptoms (n=725), 2) cognitive impairment (n=774) and 3) limitations in activities of daily living (n=715) at Wave 5; natural disaster exposure was defined as residing in a county that received public assistance funds from the Federal Emergency Management Agency in 2006-2008. Results. Natural disaster exposure was not a significant risk factor in either of the three incident health outcomes. Self-report of heart attack increased the odds of all three health outcomes. Older age was associated with cognitive impairment and limitations in activities of daily living. Financial strain increased the odds of depressive symptoms and cognitive impairment. Conclusions. Natural disaster exposure is not associated with the incidence of depressive symptoms, cognitive impairment or limitations in activities of daily living between Waves 5 and 7. Understanding risk factors, including the role of natural disaster exposure, associated with the long-term health of aging Hispanic populations is essential, especially considering the increasing representation of this minority group in the US population.