Abstract
This article describes the prevalence of multi-morbidity and its association with self-rated and functional health using Longitudinal Aging Study in India (LASI), Pilot survey, 2010 data, on 1,683 older adults aged 45+. The prevalence of multi-morbidity is assessed as count of self-reported chronic diseases for an older adult. Limitations in activities of daily living (ADL) are used as a measure of functional health. Zero-inflated Poisson regression is estimated to examine the covariates of multi-morbidity. Moreover, logit models are used to assess the association of multi-morbidity with functional health and self-rated health. Results depict a large prevalence of multi-morbidity, limitations in ADL and poor self-rated health with pronounced state variations. Prevalence of multimorbidity was higher at higher level of education, wealth, and caste. However, educational status of older adults is seen to be negatively associated with prevalence of ADL limitations and poor self-rated health. Household wealth and caste showed no clear association with limitations in ADL and poor self-rated health. Multi-morbid older adults were found with substantially high risk of ADL limitations and poor self-rated health.
Highlights
India’s steady pace of demographic transition has driven a phase of rapid population aging
72% of the population is rural with a major share of population in the 45 to 59 age group and less than 10% from 75 years and above age group
The schedule caste/schedule tribe (SC/ST) population consists of one fifth of the total population whereas each of the other backward class (OBC) and others consist of nearly 37% of the population
Summary
India’s steady pace of demographic transition has driven a phase of rapid population aging. The demographic shifts in India have been accompanied by epidemiological transition where the disease profile has witnessed a phenomenal change with chronic diseases taking the center stage. The shift in the disease pattern coupled with population aging occurring in the strong presence of infectious and parasitic diseases has resulted in the dual burden of diseases on the country (Boutayeb, 2006; Quigley, 2006). In India, more than half of the burden of non-communicable disease (NCD) and 25% of total disease burden occur in the 45+ age group (Chatterji et al, 2008). It is projected that by the year 2030, more than 45% of the total disease burden will be borne by the individuals aged 45 and above. The rising burden of chronic diseases is posing fresh challenges for the control and treatment of NCDs (Joshi, Kumar, & Avasthi, 2003; Patel et al, 2011; Quigley, 2006)
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