Disability-free life expectancy by health region.
OBJECTIVE
This article presents a profile of variations in disability-free life expectancy (DFLE) by health region.


METHODS
Mortality data for 1995 through 1997 are from the Canadian Vital Statistics Database. Estimates of disability (major activity limitations) and sociodemographic characteristics are based on data from the 1996 Census. Supplementary information was provided by the Demography and Geography divisions at Statistics Canada.


METHODS
DFLE was calculated using a modified version of Sullivan's method. Linear regression using 4 factors representing socio-demographic profiles was used to explain the variation of DFLE by health region. These 4 synthetic variables were determined using principal component analysis.


RESULTS
In 1996, DFLE for both sexes was estimated to be 68.6 years. Estimates by health region varied considerably. Socio-economic status explains a high proportion of the variation of DFLE by health region.
Mayer
Francine
F
Département des sciences économiques, l'Université du Québec à Montréal, Montréal, Québec, H3C 3P8. mayer.francine@uqam.ca
Ross
Nancy
N
Berthelot
Jean-Marie
JM
Wilkins
Russell
R
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002170:Canada / Q000453:epidemiology; D006233:Persons with Disabilities; D005260:Female; D005843:Geography; D006305:Health Status Indicators; D006801:Humans; D008017:Life Expectancy / Q000639:trends*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012424:Rural Population; D014505:Urban Population