Understanding how race/ethnicity and gender define age-trajectories of disability: An intersectionality approach

► We bridge intersectionality and life course theories to investigate disparities in functional limitations among older adults. ► We estimate age-trajectories of functional limitations among U.S. White, Black, and Mexican American men and women. ► Functional impairment disparities are constant across ages 52 to 73 for most racial/ethnic/gender groups. ► Black women experience a functional impairment trajectory that differs from other racial/ethnic/gender groups. ► An intersectionality approach is needed to understand better the social construction of health disparities in later life.