Abstract
BackgroundWe examined socioeconomic inequalities in disability-free life expectancy in older men and women from England and the United States and explored whether people in England can expect to live longer and healthier lives than those in the United States.MethodsWe used harmonized data from the Gateway to Global Aging Data on 14,803 individuals aged 50+ from the U.S. Health and Retirement Study (HRS) and 10,754 from the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing (ELSA). Disability was measured in terms of impaired activities and instrumental activities of daily living. We used discrete-time multistate life table models to estimate total life expectancy and life expectancy free of disability.ResultsSocioeconomic inequalities in disability-free life expectancy were of a similar magnitude (in absolute terms) in England and the United States. The socioeconomic disadvantage in disability-free life expectancy was largest for wealth, in both countries: people in the poorest group could expect to live seven to nine fewer years without disability than those in the richest group at the age of 50.ConclusionsInequalities in healthy life expectancy exist in both countries and are of similar magnitude. In both countries, efforts in reducing health inequalities should target people from disadvantaged socioeconomic groups.
Highlights
We examined socioeconomic inequalities in disability-free life expectancy in older men and women from England and the United States and explored whether people in England can expect to live longer and healthier lives than those in the United States
Estimates of total life expectancy and disability-free life expectancy at all ages were very similar in women in both countries
Estimates of average number of years expected to live without disability, at the age of 60, 70, and 80, were slightly higher in men in the United States than men in England
Summary
We examined socioeconomic inequalities in disability-free life expectancy in older men and women from England and the United States and explored whether people in England can expect to live longer and healthier lives than those in the United States. Results: Socioeconomic inequalities in disability-free life expectancy were of a similar magnitude (in absolute terms) in England and the United States. The socioeconomic disadvantage in disability-free life expectancy was largest for wealth, in both countries: people in the poorest group could expect to live seven to nine fewer years without disability than those in the richest group at the age of 50. Conclusions: Inequalities in healthy life expectancy exist in both countries and are of similar magnitude. In both countries, efforts in reducing health inequalities should target people from disadvantaged socioeconomic groups
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
