THE STUDY OF CHRONIC PAIN IN LATER LIFE - WHERE ARE THE WOMEN

Chronic pain often accompanies the predominant non-fatal chronic condi tions experienced by older women. Population estimates suggest that 25 -50% of community-dwelling older adults suffer as a result of chronic pain problems. Despite the prevalence of chronic pain among older adul ts, very little attention has been given to the consequences associate d with living with chronic pain in later life. Within the limited geri atric pain literature, virtually no attention has been directed toward s chronic pain among older women.