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Demographic trends for the aging female population
1Center for Demographic Studies, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, USA.
Journal of the American Medical Women'S Association (1972)
|July 1, 1997
Summary
Women live longer than men, but experience more chronic disability. This study explores age-related factors influencing female survival advantages and their impact on health outcomes in older populations.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Public Health
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Female life expectancy exceeds male life expectancy in the US and developed nations.
- Elderly women exhibit higher rates of chronic disability and institutionalization than elderly men, a paradox attributed to differing morbid conditions.
- Morbidity differentials alone do not fully account for gender disparities in disability or mortality.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate general age-related factors contributing to female survival advantages.
- To analyze the interplay between mortality and disability in elderly populations.
- To understand the implications for the future health of US women.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of male and female mortality and disability data from national longitudinal surveys (1982, 1984, 1989).
- Utilized gender-specific mortality functions and disability change models.
- Constructed male and female cohort life tables to model mortality-disability interactions.
Main Results:
- Significant gender differences in the rate of aging were observed, even in post-menopausal populations.
- The study identified age-related factors influencing female longevity beyond morbidity differences.
- Interactions between mortality and disability rates varied significantly by gender.
Conclusions:
- Age-related factors, not solely morbidity, contribute to female survival advantages.
- Understanding these factors is crucial for addressing the future health needs of elderly women.
- The findings highlight the complex relationship between aging, disability, and mortality in different genders.