Area Deprivation Index and Frailty Among Older People With HIV

Abstract

We evaluated the relationship between neighborhood disadvantage (measured by the Area Deprivation Index [ADI]) and frailty. We performed a secondary analysis, pooling cross-sectional data collected from 209 people with HIV (PWH) aged ≥50 years enrolled in studies in Colorado (CO) and Missouri (MO). MO participants ( N = 137) had a higher ADI (µ= 70, ơ2 = 25) compared to CO (µ= 32, ơ2 = 15; p < .001). No significant differences in ADI were observed between frailty categories when cohorts were examined either separately or combined; however, when comparing individual frailty criteria, the most apparent differences by neighborhood disadvantage were seen among those with limited physical activity (μ = 67, ơ2 = 28) compared to those without (μ = 55, ơ2 = 29, p = .03). Neighborhood disadvantage was associated with low physical activity but not with overall frailty status. Future research should examine how access to physical activity spaces varies based on ADI, as this could be crucial in preventing frailty.