Trends in inequalities in health, risk and preventive behaviour among the advanced-age population in Austria: 1983-2007.
BACKGROUND
Although a number of previous research studies have focused on the long-term analysis of the health and health behaviour of the elderly, there is still a shortage of information in relation to the long-term trends regarding health or risk and preventive behaviour in the elderly population taking into account gender differences and differences in educational level.


METHODS
The database comprised subsamples of the Austrian Micro-Census, including individuals aged 65 years and older, for the years 1983, 1991, 1999, and subsamples of the ATHIS (Austrian Health Interview Survey) 2007. A trend analysis was conducted for four health-related variables with the year of the survey and education as predictors. The analysis was stratified by sex.


RESULTS
We found a general trend towards better self-rated health, better preventive and less risk behaviour among the elderly, while the body mass index has been increasing over the years. There are indeed gender differences regarding the trend in smoking behaviour. While the prevalence of male smoking has been steadily decreasing, female smoking prevalence has not changed. At all points in time, individuals with higher education had significantly better self-rated health than those with lower education but the association between education and preventive behaviour significantly decreased over the years.


CONCLUSIONS
We agree with previous research in concluding that preventive action and health promotion should aim in particular to support older women and men with lower education.
Department of Social Medicine and Epidemiology, Medical University Graz, Graz, Austria.
Johanna
J
Muckenhuber
Department of business education and development, Karl-Franzens-University Graz, Graz, Austria.
Karina
K
Fernandez
Department of Social Medicine and Epidemiology, Medical University Graz, Graz, Austria.
Nathalie T
NT
Burkert
Department of Social Medicine and Epidemiology, Medical University Graz, Graz, Austria.
Franziska
F
Groβschädl
Department of Social Medicine and Epidemiology, Medical University Graz, Graz, Austria.
Wolfgang
W
Freidl
Department of Social Medicine and Epidemiology, Medical University Graz, Graz, Austria.
Éva
É
Rásky
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001317:Austria; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D006293:Health Promotion; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D057566:Self Report; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors