A health profile of community-living nonagenarians in Canada.
Due to increasing life expectancy over time, persons who live into their ninety, known as nonagenarians, are an important and growing segment of the Canadian population. In 2001, there were 130,325 nonagenarians (compared to 3,795 centenarians), and it is estimated that they will top 400,000 by 2026. This paper provides a health profile and an exploratory analysis of selected social determinants of health for community-living nonagenarians, using the 2001 Canadian Community Health Survey (Statistics Canada, 2003). Perceived health, selection of prevalent chronic illnesses, and several health behaviours are examined. One dominant pattern is the tendency for male nonagenarians to be in better health than their female counterparts. This finding is consistent with research on centenarians and is discussed in terms of a mortality selection effect. Other key findings include the strength of sense of belonging, income, and physical activity as potential social determinants of health, connected to particular dimensions of health status.
Wister
Andrew V
AV
Department of Gerontology, Simon Fraser University, Vancouver, BC. wister@sfu.ca
Wanless
Deanna
D
D000369:Aged, 80 and over / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D001168:Arthritis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D001294:Attitude to Health; D001835:Body Weight; D002170:Canada / Q000453:epidemiology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000453:epidemiology*; D004522:Educational Status; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D015577:Geriatric Assessment; D006305:Health Status Indicators; D006306:Health Surveys; D006331:Heart Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000453:epidemiology*; D007182:Income; D008017:Life Expectancy; D016015:Logistic Models; D008136:Longevity; D008297:Male; D017533:Marital Status; D009043:Motor Activity; D011788:Quality of Life; D012111:Residence Characteristics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D017678:Sex Distribution; D012944:Social Support; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires