Work

Incarceration and the Health of Older Black Women and Men

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: As more people imagine a world without prisons, we must sharpen ourunderstanding of the racialized gendered harm of carceral systems and the care needsof formerly incarcerated older Black adults, for whom harms may be particularlysevere. This study examines associations between incarceration, health, and copingresources among a nationally representative sample of older Black women and men. METHODS: Data are from the 2012 and 2014 waves of the Health and Retirement Study.Using logistic regression, we examined whether the odds of having high levels ofcoping resources or experiencing any health conditions differed between neverincarcerated and formerly incarcerated people. RESULTS: Formerly incarcerated older Black women had worse health outcomes thannever-incarcerated older Black women, including higher odds of having depressivesymptoms, limitations to activities of daily living, a heart condition, and a psychiatricdisorder. Health outcomes did not differ by incarceration status for older Black men, butcoping resources did. CONCLUSION: Future public health research, practice, and policy on incarceration andhealth need to include an intersectional analysis of racism, sexism, and ageism.

Source: Journal of Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities

DOI: 10.1007/s40615-026-02953-9

Authors: Mienah Zulfacar Sharif, Natalie J. Bradford, Zeruiah V. Buchanan, Uchechi A. Mitchell

Institutions: University of California, Berkeley, The University of Texas at San Antonio, Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, University of Illinois Chicago

Language: English

Topic: Criminal Justice and Corrections Analysis

Subfield: Sociology and Political Science

Field: Social Sciences

Domain: Social Sciences

SDGs: Good health and well-being, Reduced inequalities, Gender equality, Peace, justice, and strong institutions

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $5,190