Pain Management for Older Adults in Disadvantaged Communities

Abstract

In the United States, it is estimated that 40% of older adults experience chronic pain. Socioeconomic disadvantages, racial and ethnic minoritized identities, rural residence, and unhoused status can all increase the likelihood for older adults to experience pain, have higher impact pain, and reduced access to pain management services. It is imperative for health care providers to enhance their capacity to provide culturally responsive care, implement community-based care models, and advocate for policies to reduce socioeconomic barriers to health care services to improve the pain outcomes for disadvantaged older adult communities.

Keywords: Chronic pain; Disadvantaged communities; Health disparities; Older adults; Pain management.