Work

Education-related inequalities in disability during the last years of life: a full population register-based study

Year: 2024

Type: article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Little is known about education-related inequalities in late-life disability. Here, we use individual-level register data on the receipt of the Austrian long-term care allowance (ALTCA) to assess education-related inequalities in the duration of late-life disability. METHODS: In this retrospective mortality follow-back study, we analyse receipt of ALTCA, a universal cash benefit based on physician-assessed disability in activities of daily living, during the last 5 years of life among all decedents aged 65 years and over from 2020 in Austria (n=76 772). RESULTS: The higher the level of education, the shorter the period for which ALTCA was received. Over the last 5 years of life, those with the primary/lower secondary education received ALTCA for 47% or 10 months (men), respectively, 38% or 12 months (women) longer than those with tertiary education. Education-related inequalities decreased with time to death and age at death. CONCLUSION: We found education-related inequalities in the duration of late-life disability, that is, higher education was associated with a prolonged ability to live independently during the last years of life. Inequalities in disability decreased with time to death and age at death, pointing to a gradual levelling due to mortality-related declines as well as selective mortality.

Source: Journal of Epidemiology & Community Health

DOI: 10.1136/jech-2024-222669

Authors: Erwin Stolz, Moritz Oberndorfer, Wolfgang Freidl

Institutions: Medical University of Graz, University of Helsinki

Language: English

Topic: Health disparities and outcomes

Subfield: Health

Field: Social Sciences

Domain: Social Sciences

SDGs: Reduced inequalities, Good health and well-being

Open Access status: green

Funders: European Commission, Jane ja Aatos Erkon Säätiö, H2020 European Research Council