Mortality in three different cohorts of 70-year olds: the impact of social factors and health.
OBJECTIVE
Little is known about changes in mortality among elderly over time, especially in subgroups differing in social and other background factors. The aim of this study was to analyze differences in mortality in three different cohorts of 70-year olds regarding social factors, social network, self-assessed health and number of diseases.


METHODS
We used data from 3 random samples of 70-year olds born in 1901/02 (N=973), 1906/07 (N=1036) and 1911/12 (N=619). At age 70 all participants were given medical examinations and interviewed regarding social background, social network, self-assessed health, need of care and number of diseases. Death records were obtained up to and including 1998.


RESULTS
The youngest cohorts had significantly decreased mortality compared to the oldest cohort (RR 0.86; CI 0.78-0.95 and RR 0.88; CI 0.78-0.995 respectively). There were no differences between the two youngest cohorts. Decrease in mortality in the younger cohorts was found among those who lived in their own home, did not feel tired, were non- or ex-smokers and had one or more diseases.


CONCLUSIONS
There was a small difference in total mortality between these cohorts of 70-year olds. There were differences in development of mortality in subgroups distributed by health and social factors, indicating more years of life, partly due to life-style factors such as non-smoking.
Wihelmson
Katarina
K
Department of Social Medicine, Göteborg University, Sweden. Katarina.Wilhelmson@socmed.gu.se
Allebeck
Peter
P
Berg
Stig
S
Steen
Bertil
B
D000368:Aged; D000375:Aging; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D016852:Housing for the Elderly; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D009026:Mortality; D012907:Smoking / Q000401:mortality; D012944:Social Support; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors