Healthy ageing for all? Comparisons of socioeconomic inequalities in health expectancies over two decades in the Cognitive Function and Ageing Studies I and II

Bennett, Holly Q.; Kingston, Andrew; Spiers, Gemma; Robinson, Louise; Corner, Lynne; Bambra, Clare; Brayne, Carol; Matthews, Fiona E.; Jagger, Carol

Abstract

Background: Despite increasing life expectancy (LE), cross-sectional data show widening inequalities in disability-free LE (DFLE) by socioeconomic status (SES) in many countries. We use longitudinal data to better understand trends in DFLE and years independent (IndLE) by SES, and how underlying transitions contribute. Methods: The Cognitive Function and Ageing Studies (CFAS I and II) are large population-based studies of those aged ≥65 years in three English centres (Newcastle, Nottingham, Cambridgeshire), with baseline around 1991 (CFAS I, n = 7635) and 2011 (CFAS II, n = 7762) and 2-year follow-up. We defined disability as difficulty in activities of daily living (ADL), dependency by combining ADLs and cognition reflecting care required, and SES by area-level deprivation. Transitions between disability or dependency states and death were estimated from multistate models. Results: Between 1991 and 2011, gains in DFLE at age 65 were greatest for the most advantaged men and women [men: 4.7 years, 95% confidence interval (95% CI) 3.3-6.2; women: 2.8 years, 95% CI 1.3-4.3]. Gains were due to the most advantaged women having a reduced risk of incident disability [relative risk ratio (RRR):0.7, 95% CI 0.5-0.8], whereas the most advantaged men had a greater likelihood of recovery (RRR: 1.8, 95% CI 1.0-3.2) and reduced disability-free mortality risk (RRR: 0.4, 95% CI 0.3-0.6]. Risk of death from disability decreased for least advantaged men (RRR: 0.7, 95% CI 0.6-0.9); least advantaged women showed little improvement in transitions. IndLE patterns across time were similar. Conclusions: Prevention should target the most disadvantaged areas, to narrow inequalities, with clear indication from the most advantaged that reduction in poor transitions is achievable.

Citation

Bennett, H. Q., Kingston, A., Spiers, G., Robinson, L., Corner, L., Bambra, C., Brayne, C., Matthews, F. E., & Jagger, C. (2021). Healthy ageing for all? Comparisons of socioeconomic inequalities in health expectancies over two decades in the Cognitive Function and Ageing Studies I and II. International Journal of Epidemiology, 50(3), 841-851. https://doi.org/10.1093/ije/dyaa271

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Dec 10, 2020
• Online Publication Date: Jan 9, 2021
• Publication Date: Jun 1, 2021
• Deposit Date: Mar 31, 2024
• Publicly Available Date: Apr 3, 2024
• Journal: International Journal of Epidemiology
• Print ISSN: 0300-5771
• Electronic ISSN: 1464-3685
• Publisher: Oxford University Press
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 50
• Issue: 3
• Pages: 841-851
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/ije/dyaa271
• Keywords: Life expectancy; Health expectancy; Disability; Dependency; Deprivation; Social class
• Public URL: https://hull-repository.worktribe.com/output/4451319