Variation in the Gender Gap in Inactive and Active Life Expectancy by the Definition of Inactivity Among Older Adults. (October 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Malhotra, Rahul; Chan, Angelique; Ajay, Shweta; Ma, Stefan; Saito, Yasuhiko
• Other Names: Chan Angelique guest-editor.; Saito Yasuhiko guest-editor.; Robine Jean-Marie guest-editor.
• Is Part Of: Journal of aging and health. Volume 28:Number 7(2016:Oct.)
• Page Start: 1279
• Page End: 1298
• Publication Date: 2016-10
• Subjects: gender -- life expectancy -- health expectancy -- activities of daily living -- Singapore; Older people -- Health and hygiene -- Periodicals; Geriatrics -- Periodicals; 618.97
• DOI: 10.1177/0898264316656512
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0898-2643

Abstract

Objective: To assess variation in gender gap (female–male) in inactive life expectancy (IALE) and active life expectancy (ALE) by definition of inactivity.Method: Inactivity, among older Singaporeans, was defined as follows: Scenario 1—health-related difficulty in activities of daily living (ADLs); Scenario 2—health-related difficulty in ADLs/instrumental ADLs (IADLs); Scenario 3—health-related difficulty in ADLs/IADLs or non-health-related non-performance of IADLs. Multistate life tables computed IALE and ALE at age 60, testing three hypotheses: In all scenarios, life expectancy, absolute and relative IALE, and absolute ALE are higher for females (Hypothesis 1 [H1]); gender gap in absolute and relative IALE expands, and in absolute ALE, it contracts in Scenario 2 versus 1 (Hypothesis 2 [H2]); gender gap in absolute and relative IALE decreases, and in absolute ALE, it increases in Scenario 3 versus 2 (Hypothesis 3 [H3]).Results: H1 was supported in Scenarios 1 and 3 but not Scenario 2. Both H2 and H3 were supported.Discussion: Definition of inactivity influences gender gap in IALE and ALE.