Differences in Pain Presence and Intensity Among Black, Latino, and White Community-Dwelling Midlife and Older Adults in the U.S.

We analyzed Wave 3 data from the National Social Life, Health, and Aging Project (weighted <i>n</i> = 2907) to examine variations in pain presence and intensity among US community-dwelling Black, Latino, and white adults aged 50 plus. Adjusting for factors that commonly contribute to stress and health inequalities (educational attainment, inadequate health insurance, perceived economic position, and perceived discrimination), we examined how pain presence and intensity varied by race/ethnicity. Seventy percent reported pain presence. Reported mean intensity was 2.91 (SD = .99; Range; 1-6) indicating moderate pain. Compared to white participants, Black and Latino individuals reported less presence of pain. However, Latinos reported higher pain intensity. Perceived discrimination and educational attainment were associated with pain outcomes, but these relationships varied by race/ethnicity. Work is needed to examine racial/ethnic differences in other pain dimensions and to understand how educational attainment and perceived discrimination may contribute poorer pain outcomes across groups.