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The Ageless Health Needs Assessment is a multi-phase project designed to assess the health and quality of life of the 60 and older population along the U.S.-México border. The present study used a health survey, which was administered to 1,450 participants by telephone and through face-to-face interviews in Western Texas and Southern New Mexico. Several demographic differences were found between the samples: 52% of the Texas sample was Hispanic compared to 23% of the New Mexico sample; 63% of the Texas sample was born in the U.S. compared to 92% of the New Mexico sample; and Texans reported less education and lower incomes than New Mexicans. Exploratory factor analysis revealed four health-related factors, which were labeled Physical Health, Emotional Health, General Health, and Activity Potential. A MANCOVA showed significant differences between groups after controlling for socioeconomic status and age.

Research on ethnicity and socioeconomic status (SES) suggests that Hispanics are more likely than non-Hispanic Whites to experience poverty and low levels of education, which may relate to poorer health status. This study used a health survey to examine income, education, ethnicity, birthplace, and age on self-reported health factors of women age 60 and older on the U.S.-Mexico border. Results show that income, age, and education were significantly associated with several health factors (Physical Health, Emotional Health, General Health, Energy Level, and Activity Potential). Older women with lower SES, regardless of ethnicity, reported poorer health than younger-old women with higher SES.