An Exploratory Analysis of Health Disparities in Older Adults to Inform Physical Therapy Wellness Clinic Development

This descriptive study examined health care disparities in older populations living in or near underserved areas of North Carolina to inform the development of a physical therapy wellness clinic. Participants were community-dwelling adults aged ≥60 years with no diagnosis of dementia. A one-time data collection included social determinants of health, blood pressure, fall risk, and presence of osteoarthritis, frailty, or depression. Findings revealed higher percentages of fall risk, stage 1 hypertension, pre-frail/frail status, and being overweight among underserved participants as compared to the surrounding population. Results highlight concerning trends and support the relevance of a physical therapy-led wellness clinic.