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Drivers of inequality in disability-free expectancy at birth and age 85 across space and time in Great Britain

Wohland, Pia; Rees, Phil; Gillies, Clare; Alvanides, Seraphim; Matthews, Fiona E.; O'Neill, Vikki; Jagger, Carol

Authors

Pia Wohland

Phil Rees

Clare Gillies

Seraphim Alvanides

Vikki O'Neill

Carol Jagger



Abstract

Background: Although mortality and health inequalities at birth have increased both geographically and in socioeconomic terms, little is known about inequalities at age 85, the fastest growing sector of the population in Great Britain (GB). Aim To determine whether trends and drivers of inequalities in life expectancy (LE) and disability-free life expectancy (DFLE) at age 85 between 1991 and 2001 are the same as those at birth. Methods: DFLE at birth and age 85 for 1991 and 2001 by gender were calculated for each local authority in GB using the Sullivan method. Regression modelling was used to identify area characteristics (rurality, deprivation, social class composition, ethnicity, unemployment, retirement migration) that could explain inequalities in LE and DFLE. Results: Similar to values at birth, LE and DFLE at age 85 both increased between 1991 and 2001 (though DFLE increased less than LE) and gaps across local areas widened (and more for DFLE than LE). The significantly greater increases in LE and DFLE at birth for lessdeprived compared with more-deprived areas were still partly present at age 85. Considering all factors, inequalities in DFLE at birth were largely driven by social class composition and unemployment rate, but these associations appear to be less influential at age 85. Conclusions: Inequalities between areas in LE and DFLE at birth and age 85 have increased over time though factors explaining inequalities at birth (mainly social class and unemployment rates) appear less important for inequalities at age 85.

Citation

Wohland, P., Rees, P., Gillies, C., Alvanides, S., Matthews, F. E., O'Neill, V., & Jagger, C. (2014). Drivers of inequality in disability-free expectancy at birth and age 85 across space and time in Great Britain. Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health, 68(9), 826-833. https://doi.org/10.1136/jech-2014-204083

Journal Article Type Article
Publication Date Jan 1, 2014
Deposit Date Dec 8, 2023
Journal Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health
Print ISSN 0143-005X
Electronic ISSN 1470-2738
Publisher BMJ Publishing Group
Volume 68
Issue 9
Pages 826-833
DOI https://doi.org/10.1136/jech-2014-204083
Public URL https://hull-repository.worktribe.com/output/4454356