Active Aging Index and Healthy Life Expectancy in Rajshahi District of Bangladesh

Abstract

The increase in life expectancy in Bangladesh during the twentieth century has been a remarkable achievement. The average life expectancy at birth has increased from about 40 years in 1960 to 66 years in 2010. However, we do not know whether the increase in life expectancy is keeping pace with the healthy life expectancy in Bangladesh. Advancing age may be associated with a higher likelihood of disability. Studies on health dynamics cite significant evidence of recovery from disability among older people in developed countries, but there is no clear picture of recovery in developing countries. In Japan approximately 30 % of older people who were in a state of disability in 1987 regained their functional ability during the following 3 years (Liu et al. 1995). Among older Americans, 20 % reported recovery from a disability during a 2 year period (Rogers et al. 1990), although these levels should not be compared given the differences in measures and time frames. A host of socioeconomic and environmental factors were found to explain health recovery including age, participation in organizational activities, social support, and self-rated health. The authors are trying to introduce the concept of active aging in connection with healthy life expectancy (HLE), which is a relatively new concept in Bangladesh. This active aging might be a good step toward suppressing morbidity while allowing individuals to enjoy more disability-free life; efforts will additionally help individuals as well as the nation to reduce medical costs for the elderly. Little is known on the levels of active aging, as its differentials vary across socioeconomic levels, demographic settings, and functional health transition patterns among older people in Bangladesh. Active aging can be applied to both individuals and population groups. It allows people to realize their potential for physical, social, and mental well being throughout their lives and to participate in society according to their needs, desires, and capacities, while providing them with adequate protection, security, and care when they require assistance (WHO 2002). According to WHO (2002), if aging is to be a positive experience, longer life must be accompanied by continuing opportunities for health, participation, and security. Older people who retire from work and those who are ill or live with disabilities can remain active contributors to their families, peers, communities, and nations. Active aging aims to extend healthy life expectancy and quality of life for all people as they age, including those who are frail, disabled, and in need of care (WHO 2002), but there are no statistics about the relationship between active aging and healthy life expectancy, which is a critical enquiry. It is also therefore said that individuals should be aware and should prepare themselves in order to maintain health, independence, and security and produce some benefits for society (WHO 2002; Thanakwang and Soonthorndhada 2006).