Predictors of transitions in disease and disability in pre- and early-retirement populations.
OBJECTIVE
This study analyzed rates of prevalence and incidence of, and transitions in, disease and disability statuses of those aged 51 to 61 years and the predictors of the transition outcomes-remaining free of disease or disability, getting better, or getting worse-over a 2-year period.


METHODS
Data from the 1992 and 1994 interview waves of the Health and Retirement Study were used for gender-separate binary and multinomial logistic regression analyses.


RESULTS
Despite high prevalence and incidence rates of chronic disease and functional limitations, the improvement rates in disabilities were also high. For both genders, age, years of education, health-related behaviors, and comorbidity factors were significant predictors of the transition outcomes.


CONCLUSIONS
The significance of health-related behaviors as predictors of transitions suggests that lifestyle factors may have a bigger influence on this age group than on older groups.
Choi
N G
NG
Portland State University, USA.
Schlichting-Ray
L
L
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D001741:Black or African American; D000368:Aged; D002908:Chronic Disease / Q000453:epidemiology; D006233:Persons with Disabilities; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006630:Hispanic or Latino; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012179:Retirement; D012307:Risk Factors; D012737:Sex Factors; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D014481:United States; D044465:White People