Work

Mortality and Morbidity Trends: Is There Compression of Morbidity?

Year: 2010

Type: review

Abstract: OBJECTIVE: This paper reviews trends in mortality and morbidity to evaluate whether there has been a compression of morbidity. METHODS: Review of recent research and analysis of recent data for the United States relating mortality change to the length of life without 1 of 4 major diseases or loss of mobility functioning. RESULTS: Mortality declines have slowed down in the United States in recent years, especially for women. The prevalence of disease has increased. Age-specific prevalence of a number of risk factors representing physiological status has stayed relatively constant; where risks decline, increased usage of effective drugs is responsible. Mobility functioning has deteriorated. Length of life with disease and mobility functioning loss has increased between 1998 and 2008. DISCUSSION: Empirical findings do not support recent compression of morbidity when morbidity is defined as major disease and mobility functioning loss.

Source: The Journals of Gerontology Series B

DOI: 10.1093/geronb/gbq088

Authors: E. M. Crimmins, H. Beltran-Sanchez

Institution: University of Southern California

Language: English

Topic: Insurance, Mortality, Demography, Risk Management

Subfield: Demography

Field: Social Sciences

Domain: Social Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: green

Funders: Agence Nationale pour le Développement de la Recherche Universitaire, National Institute on Aging, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development