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Contribution of chronic conditions to aggregate changes in old-age functioning

Author

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  • Freedman, V.A.
  • Martin, L.G.

Abstract

Objectives. This study explored the role of various chronic conditions in explaining recent improvements in functioning among older Americans. Methods. We used the Supplements on Aging to the 1984 and 1994 National Health Interview Surveys to examine changes among Americans 70 years and older in reports of chronic conditions and functional limitations. We decomposed functioning changes into condition-related components, controlling for demographic shifts. Results. The percentage of older Americans with upper- and lower-body limitations declined from 5.1% and 34.2%, respectively, in 1984 to 4.3% and 28.5% in 1995, and the average number of lower body limitations decreased. During the same period, reports of 8 of 9 chronic conditions increased, but many of these conditions had less debilitating effects on functioning. Reductions in the debilitating effects of various chronic conditions - particularly arthritis - are important in explaining declines in limitations experienced by older Americans. Conclusions. Earlier diagnosis and improved treatment and management of chronic conditions, rather than prevention, may be important contributing factors to improvements in upper- and lower-body functioning among older Americans.

Suggested Citation

  • Freedman, V.A. & Martin, L.G., 2000. "Contribution of chronic conditions to aggregate changes in old-age functioning," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 90(11), pages 1755-1760.
    • Handle: RePEc:aph:ajpbhl:2000:90:11:1755-1760_3
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    Cited by:

    1. Gao Ping & Hasegawa Hikaru, 2018. "Bayesian Spatial Analysis Of Chronic Diseases In Elderly Chinese People Using A Star Model," Statistics in Transition New Series, Polish Statistical Association, vol. 19(4), pages 645-670, December.
    2. Yuka Minagawa Sugawara & Yasuhiko Saito, 2016. "Changes in disability-free life expectancy (DFLE) at birth between 2000 and 2010 across Japanese prefectures," International Journal of Public Health, Springer;Swiss School of Public Health (SSPH+), vol. 61(7), pages 739-749, September.
    3. Gabriel Aranovich & Jay Bhattacharya & Alan M. Garber & Thomas E. MaCurdy, 2009. "Coping with Chronic Disease? Chronic Disease and Disability in Elderly American Population 1982-1999," NBER Working Papers 14811, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    4. Douglas A. Wolf, 2018. "Uses of Panel Study of Income Dynamics Data in Research on Aging," The ANNALS of the American Academy of Political and Social Science, , vol. 680(1), pages 193-212, November.
    5. Liang, Jersey & Wang, Chia-Ning & Xu, Xiao & Hsu, Hui-Chuan & Lin, Hui-Shen & Lin, Yu-Hsuan, 2010. "Trajectory of functional status among older Taiwanese: Gender and age variations," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 71(6), pages 1208-1217, September.
    6. Morciano, Marcello & Hancock, Ruth M. & Pudney, Stephen E., 2015. "Birth-cohort trends in older-age functional disability and their relationship with socio-economic status: Evidence from a pooling of repeated cross-sectional population-based studies for the UK," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 136, pages 1-9.
    7. Charles L. Baum, 2017. "The Effects of College on Weight: Examining the “Freshman 15” Myth and Other Effects of College Over the Life Cycle," Demography, Springer;Population Association of America (PAA), vol. 54(1), pages 311-336, February.
    8. Oliver Schilling & Hans-Werner Wahl & Frank Oswald, 2013. "Change in Life Satisfaction Under Chronic Physical Multi-morbidity in Advanced Old Age: Potential and Limits of Adaptation," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 14(1), pages 19-36, March.
    9. Ping Gao & Hikaru Hasegawa, 2018. "Bayesian Spatial Analysis Of Chronic Diseases In Elderly Chinese People Using A Star Model," Statistics in Transition New Series, Polish Statistical Association, vol. 19(4), pages 645-669, December.
    10. Ping Gao & Hikaru Hasegawa, 2018. "Bayesian Spatial Analysis Of Chronic Diseases In Elderly Chinese People Using A Star Model," Statistics in Transition New Series, Polish Statistical Association, vol. 19(4), pages 645-670, December.

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