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

Lookup NU author(s): Dr Holly Bennett, Dr Andrew KingstonORCiD, Dr Gemma Frances SpiersORCiD, Dr Louise Robinson, Dr Lynne Corner, Professor Clare BambraORCiD, Professor Carol Brayne, Professor Fiona MatthewsORCiD, Emerita Professor Carol Jagger

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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC BY 4.0).


Abstract

Background: Despite increasing life expectancy (LE), cross-sectional data shows 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 ≥65 years in three English centres (Newcastle, Nottingham, Cambridgeshire), with baseline around 1991 (CFAS I, n=7635) and 2011 (CFAS II, n=7762) and two 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), whilst 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. Conclusion: Prevention should target the most disadvantaged areas to narrow inequalities, with clear indication from the most advantaged that reduction in poor transitions is achievable.


Publication metadata

Author(s): Bennett HQ, Kingston A, Spiers G, Robinson L, Corner L, Bambra C, Brayne C, Matthews FE, Jagger C

Publication type: Article

Publication status: Published

Journal: International Journal of Epidemiology

Year: 2021

Volume: 50

Issue: 3

Pages: 841-851

Print publication date: 01/06/2021

Online publication date: 09/01/2021

Acceptance date: 10/12/2020

Date deposited: 29/01/2021

ISSN (print): 0300-5771

ISSN (electronic): 1464-3685

Publisher: Oxford University Press

URL: https://doi.org/10.1093/ije/dyaa271

DOI: 10.1093/ije/dyaa271


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Funding

Funder referenceFunder name
294
G0601022
MRC
NIHR
PR-PRU-1217–21502
RPGF1806\44Dunhill Medical Trust

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