Index of functional impairment in older people: analysis by ethnicity.

Background: Aging in Mexico is heterogeneous considering the ethnic diversity and social inequality that prevails. The condition of ethnicity allows us to delve deeper into the social and health inequalities that do not allow for healthy aging.

Objective: The objective of this article is to compare the levels of functionality of older people by ethnicity and its associated factors in Mexico.

Material and methods: People aged 60 years and over were selected from the 2020 Census sample, grouping according to their ethnic status (Indigenous, Afro-Mexican and non-Indigenous and non-afro Mexican). As a dependent variable, the Functional Impairment Index (IDF) was constructed with principal components analysis, using the battery of disability questions; Generalized linear models were performed to analyse the factors associated by ethnicity status.

Results: Indigenous older people have higher IDF values, followed by Afro-Mexican. Indigenous women and those who live in rural areas have higher values of functional impairment.

Conclusions: It is necessary to address the needs of the older Indigenous and Afro-Mexican population who face an old age with greater social disadvantage and functional deterioration.