title: The Australian baby boomer population--factors influencing changes to health-related quality of life over time.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Identify factors associated with changes to health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in baby boomers.
  
  
  METHODS
  Panel data were collected on baby boomers at two time points, 2000-2002 and 2004-2006. A fixed-effects model was used to identify associations between changes in the dependent variable (SF-36 summary scales) and changes in independent variables (health indicators/employment status).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Mental health problems, being out of labor force, sedentary behavior, and severe lung disease were associated with deterioration in physical and mental HRQoL. Obesity was associated with deterioration in physical HRQoL whereas cardiovascular disease was associated with deterioration in mental HRQoL. Unemployment, full-time employment, and absence of lung disease symptoms were associated with improvements in physical and mental HRQoL.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  If we are to maximize the future labor participation, and HRQoL, of this cohort, it will be necessary to reduce obesity and sedentary behavior and to further investigate the association between health and employment.
authors.affiliation: Australian Population and Migration Research Centre, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, North Tce, SA, Australia. jennifer.buckley@adelaide.edu.au
authors.forename: Jennifer
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Buckley
authors.forename: Graeme
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Tucker
authors.forename: Graeme
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Hugo
authors.forename: Gary
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Wittert
authors.forename: Robert J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Adams
authors.forename: David H
authors.initials: DH
authors.lastname: Wilson
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001315:Australia; D015331:Cohort Studies; D004651:Employment / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011158:Population Growth; D011788:Quality of Life; D012307:Risk Factors; D013997:Time Factors; D055815:Young Adult