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Older adults and other people of color are vulnerable to the COVID-19 pandemic, and mitigation behaviors decrease COVID-19 infection. We tested racial and ethnic differences in COVID-19 diagnosis and adherence to COVID-19 mitigation behaviors among older U. S. adults. Data were drawn from the National Health and Aging Trends Study, a Nationally representative prospective cohort comprising 3,257 US Medicare beneficiaries aged 65 years and older. The COVID-19 variables were collected in 2020; all other knowledge in 2019. Odds of COVID-19 diagnosis and compliance with mitigation behaviors (hand washing, mask wearing, social distancing) were analyzed using logistic regression. Compared to white older adults, only Hispanic respondents had a 2. 7 times higher risk of contracting COVID-19 after adjusting for sociodemographic characteristics, health, and mitigation behaviors (aOR = 2. 71 95% CI = 1. 20-6,12). Black older adults were 7. 9 times more likely to wear a mask (aOR = 7. 94, 95% CI = 2. 33-27. 04) and 2. 3 times more likely to social distance (aOR = 2. 33, 95% CI = 1. 28-4. 24), after adjusting for sociodemographic characteristics. . and health. Among all racial and ethnic groups, only Hispanic older adults were more likely to be diagnosed with COVID-19. Despite increased adherence to COVID-19 mitigation behaviors among racial and ethnic minorities, i. e. , Black older adults, threats of contracting COVID-19 remained high. Research is needed to explore potential mechanisms of increased COVID-19 threat among minority older adults.
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