[Trends in mortality and morbidity among the elderly in The Netherlands, 1970-1989]

Analysis of the trends in mortality and morbidity among the elderly to see whether there has been a 'compression' of mortality and morbidity in the older age groups during the past two decades.

Data on mortality (by age, sex and cause of death; 55-84 years; 1970-1989), hospital admissions (by age, sex and discharge diagnosis; 55-84 years; 1972-1987) and self-reported morbidity (65+ years) were extracted from publications by the Netherlands Central Bureau of Statistics, and analysed on an age-specific and age-standardised basis.

A decline in mortality for men and women was seen in all age groups between 1970 and 1989. Diseases of 'circulatory organs' and 'accidents and intoxications' accounted for the major part. In contrast, hospital admission rates increased for men and women in all age groups between 1972 and 1987, mainly due to diseases of 'circulatory organs' and 'neoplasms'. No correlation was found between decline of mortality and increase of hospital admissions per disease cluster. Questionnaire data revealed no major changes in health problems.

Whereas mortality declined in all age groups, hospital admissions rose, and prevalence rates of self-reported health problems remained essentially the same. We conclude that there has probably been a compression of neither mortality nor morbidity during the past two decades in the Netherlands.