Life expectancy without chronic morbidity: trends in gender and socioeconomic disparities

Life expectancy without chronic morbidity, or morbidity-free life expectancy (MFLE), was calculated to measure changes in population health status between 1989 and 2000 on the basis of gender and socioeconomic status.

Sullivan's method was used to calculate morbidity-free life expectancy. Prevalence rates for chronic morbidity were derived from the Netherlands Continuous Health Interview Survey. Four socioeconomic groups were distinguished on the basis of educational level.

Between 1989 and 2000, total life expectancy increased for males and females and for all socioeconomic groups. Morbidity-free life expectancy decreased significantly for males (from 54.7 years to 53.9 years) and females (from 55.3 years to 51.0 years). The gap between males and females in MFLE has reversed, from 0.6 years in favor of females in 1989 to 2.9 years in favor of males in 2000. The gap between the upper and lower classes seems to have narrowed (for males from 11 years to 8.5 years and for females from 4.7 years to 4.0 years).

The results indicate that morbidity-free life expectancy is falling for males and females and in all socioeconomic groups. Part of this decrease could be attributed to earlier diagnosis of chronic diseases. A widening gap in MFLE was observed between males and females in favor of males. The gap between the upper and lower socioeconomic groups seems to be narrowing.