Regional and Gender Differences in Years with and without Mobility Limitation in the Older Population of Thailand.

Benjawan Apinonkul,Carol Jagger,Patama Vapattanawong,Kusol Soonthorndhada,Wichai Aekplakorn,Yue Wang

doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0153763

Abstract

ObjectivesTo examine gender and regional differences in health expectancies based on the measure of mobility.MethodsHealth expectancies by gender and region were computed by Sullivan’s method from the fourth Thai National Health Examination Survey (2009). A total of 9,210 older persons aged 60 years and older were included. Mobility limitation was defined as self-reporting of ability to perform only with assistances/aids at least one of: walking at least 400 metres; or going up or down a flight of 10 stairs. Severe limitation was defined as complete inability to do at least one of these two functions, even with assistances or aids.ResultsAt age 60, females compared to males, spent significantly fewer years without mobility limitation (male-female = 3.2 years) and more years with any limitation (female-male = 6.7 years) and with severe limitation (female-male = 3.2 years). For both genders, years lived with severe limitation were remarkably constant across age. Significant regional inequalities in years lived without and with limitation were evident, with a consistent pattern by gender in years free of mobility limitation (Central ranked the best and the North East ranked the worst). Finally, both males and females in the South had the longest life expectancy and the most years of life with severe mobility limitation.ConclusionThis study identifies inequalities in years without and with mobility limitations with important policy implication.

Highlights

The world’s population is ageing and Thailand is no exception
At age 60, females compared to males, spent significantly fewer years without mobility limitation and more years with any limitation and with severe limitation
Years lived with severe limitation were remarkably constant across age

Summary

Introduction

The world’s population is ageing and Thailand is no exception. Life expectancy at birth for the Thai population has seen a continuous rise, from 60 years in 1967 [1] to 72 years for males and 78 years for females in 2015 [2] and with an increasing proportion of older people, from five percent of the total population in 1970 [3] to 16 percent by 2015 [2]. Non-communicable and degenerative diseases have steadily increased around the world, including Thailand, resulting in long-term health consequences creating a need for long-term treatment and care [4]. The key concern accompanying increases in life expectancy is whether the additional years are spent in good health. The World Health Organization’s conceptual framework for healthy ageing has functional ability and intrinsic capacity at the core, with functional ability being the interaction between intrinsic capacity and the environment [6]

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