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  • Sensory Impairment Is Linked to Perceived Discrimination

    By Lynda Seminara
    Selected and Reviewed By: Neil M. Bressler, MD, and Deputy Editors
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    Journal Highlights

    JAMA Ophthalmology, December 2020

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    Perceived discrimination is a psycho­social stressor linked to adverse health outcomes. In a study of adults older than 50 years of age, Shakarchi et al. assessed whether visual impairment (VI), hearing impairment (HI), or the combination of VI and HI are associat­ed with perceived discrimination. They found that perceived levels of discrim­ination were higher for individuals with impaired vision or hearing than for those without impairment—and highest for those with dual sensory impairment (DSI).

    For this cross-sectional analysis, the researchers used data from the Health and Retirement Study, which included noninstitutionalized adults aged 51 and older. In 2006 and 2008 surveys, par­ticipants were asked to rate their vision and hearing—while wearing spectacles and/or hearing aids, if applicable—as poor, fair, good, very good, or excellent.

    For this study, sensory impairment was defined as poor or fair ability and was categorized as VI alone, HI alone, DSI, or no impairment. Perceived discrimination was assessed with the validated Williams questionnaire. Responses were converted to a score reflecting the frequency of discrimi­nation, ranging from zero (never) to 5 (almost daily). Linear regression mod­els were used to estimate differences in discrimination scores by sensory category, with adjustments for age, sex, race, ethnicity, and other variables. Analyses were weighted to account for design complexity and differential nonresponse to the survey.

    When the sample was weighted to represent the U.S. population, the authors noted that 11.7% of 13,092 individuals had VI alone, 13.1% had HI alone, and 7.9% had DSI. In the fully adjusted model, those with VI alone (β [change in discrimination score] = 0.07), HI alone (β = 0.07), and DSI (β = 0.23) perceived greater discrimination than those with nei­ther type of sensory impairment. The perceived degree of discrimination was highest for the DSI group.

    The authors affirmed that their find­ings offer insight into the psychosocial effect of sensory deficits. They empha­sized the need to identify and address the reasons for such discrimination.

    The original article can be found here.