Socioeconomic status and morbidity in the last years of life.
OBJECTIVE
This study evaluated the effect of socioeconomic status, as characterized by level of education, on morbidity and disability in the last years of life.


METHODS
The analysis used data from the National Health Interview Survey (1986-1990), with mortality follow-up through December 1991.


RESULTS
Among 10,932 decedents 50 years or older at baseline interview, educational attainment was inversely associated with long-term limitation of activity, number of chronic conditions, number of bed days, and days of short hospital stay during the year preceding the interview.


CONCLUSIONS
Decedents with higher socioeconomic status experienced lower morbidity and disability and better quality of life even in their last years of life.
Liao
Y
Y
Department of Preventive Medicine and Epidemiology, Loyola University Stritch School of Medicine, Maywood, Ill. 60153, USA. yliao@maya.medctr.luc.edu
McGee
D L
DL
Kaufman
J S
JS
Cao
G
G
Cooper
R S
RS
D000041:Absenteeism; D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000368:Aged; D002908:Chronic Disease / Q000453:epidemiology; D006233:Persons with Disabilities / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D004522:Educational Status; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D015577:Geriatric Assessment; D006304:Health Status; D006306:Health Surveys; D006760:Hospitalization / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009017:Morbidity; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D011203:Poverty / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011788:Quality of Life; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires