Stable or improved health status in the population 65 years and older in Stockholm,Sweden – an 8-year follow-up of self-reported health items

Abstract

Background: Previous studies have reached different conclusions about whether health is improving in the ageing population. More studies with narrow age groups analyzed separately for men and women will contribute to the literature. Aim: To describe trends in self-reported indicators of health and health-related quality of life between 2002 and 2010, focusing on differences between gender and age groups. A population-based survey of individuals 65+ in the Stockholm County was used. Results: Prevalence of health problems increased with age both among men and women. Men generally reported having no health problems to a larger extent than women, but the proportions reporting severe problems were similar. The larger picture is one of stability in health-related quality of life, even if several items developed for the better, especially among women. While the proportions reporting no health/functional problems increased for many items, the proportions reporting severe problems remained unchanged among men and improved only for two items among women. Conclusions: Overall, improvements were seen in many of the health-related quality of life items as well as for self-rated health among women. The proportions reporting long-term illness or persistent health problems increased, but fewer seem to be limited in their daily activities by these problems. The stable proportions of poor self-rated health indicates that while health and functioning seem to be improving for the majority of the older population, some groups may be lagging behind. Future studies should pay attention to changes both in the upper and lower ends of the health spectrum.