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Abstract

Nearly 50% of the elderly (260 years) survivors of the Charleston Heart Study Cohort reported problems with becoming sexually aroused. The problem was associated with age and ranged from 30% at age 60 to 69 to over 60% at ages 80 and above. Significant predictors of arousal problems were older age, lower pulmonary function, physical disability, an increased usage of prescription drugs, and a fair or poor perception of health. Among respondents reporting no problems with arousal, the age-adjusted proportions of those reporting a frequency of sexual activity three or more times per month were White men 36%, Black men 29%, high socioeconomic Black men 47%, and White and Black women 14%. After considering age and arousal problem, the most consistent and significant predictors of frequency of sexual activity across all race-sex groups were marital status and education or income.

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Self-Reported Sexual Functioning in Elderly Blacks and Whites

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