Functioning falters faster among poor.

• Position: The Elderly

Wealthier Americans and those with private health insurance fare better than others on one important measure of health--and this health gap only grows wider as they age, points out a study by researchers at Ohio State University, Columbus, who found that, when the study began, middle-aged and older Americans with more income and assets reported having less trouble with five activities of dally living: walking across a room, bathing, eating, dressing, and getting in and out of bed.

Especially troubling, though, is how the disadvantage for the poor snowballs over time, indicates Virginia Richardson, coauthor of the study and professor of social work. "The rich stay healthier, while the poor see steeper declines in their health as they age" Those with private health insurance also report less trouble with these activities than do those without such insurance. That gap also increases over time. These findings hold true even after researchers take into account other...