The effect of risk factors on disability: a multistate analysis of the U.S. Health and Retirement Study

M. Reuser

Research output: PhD ThesisPhD thesis

Abstract

As life expectancy increases the question whether an extended life does not result in a longer period of disability at its end. With rising life expectancy and age-related morbidity, are years to live with disability expanded or compressed, or is it a mix? Risk factors like smoking, body-mass index (BMI) and education have proven to play an important role in the duration of disability. This study uses the U.S. Health and Retirement Study and multistate life table analyses to unravel the effect of risk factors at middle and old age. The life table summarizes age-specific incidence, recovery and mortality rates into life years with or withoud impairment. Individual disability trajectories have been estimated using microsimulation. Results from the U.S. Health and Retirement Study demonstrate that smoking, BMI and education have completely different effects on age at onset and duration of physical and cognitive impairment.
Original languageUndefined
QualificationDoctor of Philosophy
Awarding Institution
  • University of Groningen
Supervisors/Advisors
  • Willekens, F.J. (Frans), Promotor
  • Bonneux, L.G.A., Promotor
Award date28 Oct 2010
Place of PublicationAmsterdam
Publisher
Print ISBNs978 90 3610 205 6
Publication statusPublished - 2010

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