Recent Declines in Chronic Disability in the Elderly U.S. Population: Risk Factors and Future Dynamics

摘要: As U.S. life expectancy has increased, questions arise as to how the quality of health and functioning in elderly population changed. Data from 1982-2004 National Long-Term Care Survey (NLTCS) suggested that chronic disability prevalence above age 65 declined at an increasing rate with a 2.2% per annum decline 1999 2004 ( 71 ). Inflation-adjusted capita Medicare expenditure rates nondisabled persons also declined, 0.9% 1982 2004, which suggests declines were driven by improving -- not increases expenditures. Declines found other national surveys. Analyses Civil War veterans suggest recent continuations both disease occurring over past century due improved nutrition, sanitation, education. Concerns exist about whether will continue because obesity prevalence.