The effects of socioeconomic status on healthy life expectancy among different age groups of Japanese suburban elderly.

STRUCTURAL equation modeling; SUBURBANITES; ACTIVITIES of daily living; SOCIOECONOMIC factors; QUESTIONNAIRES; SURVIVAL analysis (Biometry); FACTOR analysis; COMORBIDITY

This study aims to elucidate the effects of socio-economic status (SES), physical disability, comorbidity, and long-term care (LTC) on healthy life expectancy (HALE) among the suburban elderly in Japan. A questionnaire survey was conducted among all residents aged 65 years and older in a suburban area of Tokyo in 2001, with two follow-up studies being conducted in 2004 and 2007. In all, 7905 respondents were included for analysis. Data analysis was performed using survival analysis, factor analysis, and structural equation modeling. The results indicated that improvement in SES of the elderly is associated with an extended life expectancy of living with good health particularly with regard to enhancing daily living capabilities and preventing the need for LTC. Significant age disparities were found in the relationship between SES and HALE among the Japanese suburban elderly. Furthermore, increased age and declining physical health within the high SES category appeared to override the significant effects of SES on HALE for the Japanese suburban elderly. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]