Måns Rosén1, Bengt Haglund. 1. Centre for Epidemiology, National Board of Health and Welfare, Stockholm, Sweden. mans.rosen@sos.se
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Hypotheses concerning compression of morbidity have gained support, particularly due to improved lifestyles from 1950 to date, but now the increase is largely due to improvements in healthcare. METHODS: Survey data from Sweden were used to test whether the older population aged 65-84 years during 1995-2002 had more longstanding illnesses than the older population of 1980-87 or 1988-94. RESULTS: There was an increased prevalence of many longstanding illnesses among the elderly in Sweden between 1988-94 and 1995-2002. The increase was especially pronounced among those with at least three longstanding illnesses. For diabetes, heart disease, and hypertension, the prevalence among elderly men increased by over 20%. However, those reporting these kinds of longstanding illnesses perceive improved health and are less restricted in their daily activities. CONCLUSIONS: Results from Sweden indicate that many countries approaching Sweden's life expectancy will have an increased need for care for the oldest population in the future. The compression-of-morbidity hypothesis is being challenged, probably due to improvements in healthcare.
BACKGROUND: Hypotheses concerning compression of morbidity have gained support, particularly due to improved lifestyles from 1950 to date, but now the increase is largely due to improvements in healthcare. METHODS: Survey data from Sweden were used to test whether the older population aged 65-84 years during 1995-2002 had more longstanding illnesses than the older population of 1980-87 or 1988-94. RESULTS: There was an increased prevalence of many longstanding illnesses among the elderly in Sweden between 1988-94 and 1995-2002. The increase was especially pronounced among those with at least three longstanding illnesses. For diabetes, heart disease, and hypertension, the prevalence among elderly men increased by over 20%. However, those reporting these kinds of longstanding illnesses perceive improved health and are less restricted in their daily activities. CONCLUSIONS: Results from Sweden indicate that many countries approaching Sweden's life expectancy will have an increased need for care for the oldest population in the future. The compression-of-morbidity hypothesis is being challenged, probably due to improvements in healthcare.