Mobility limitations 1974-1991: period changes explaining improvement in the population

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Public Health
• Epidemiology

Background:

• Mobility limitations decreased in the Swedish population aged 18-75 between 1968 and 1991.
• Predictors of late-life morbidity, including social class and health behaviors, also shifted during this period.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the relationship between changes in predictors (social class, health behaviors) and the observed decrease in mobility limitations.
• To quantify the impact of social class and health behaviors on mobility over time.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of two nationally representative Swedish interview samples (n=4468) from 1974 and 1991.
• Cross-sectional comparison of odds for mobility limitations using ordered logistic regression models.
• Longitudinal analysis linking 1974 mobility outcomes to 1968 predictors and 1991 outcomes to 1981 predictors.

Main Results:

• The odds of mobility limitations were 50% higher in 1974 compared to 1991.
• If population composition regarding social class and housewives had been constant from 1974 to 1991, the odds for limitations would have been similar.
• Improvements in social classes with poorer mobility and increased physical activity between 1968-1974 contributed to the overall mobility improvement observed by 1991.
• Smoking showed an increased association with mobility limitations, suggesting greater potential improvement if smoking rates had decreased.

Conclusions:

• Changes in social class composition and improved health behaviors, particularly increased physical activity, were key drivers in reducing mobility limitations in Sweden.
• Period effects, such as improvements within specific social classes and lifestyle changes, played a significant role in enhancing mobility.
• Disability rates are sensitive to both cohort and period effects, highlighting the importance of socioeconomic and behavioral factors in public health interventions.