(Withdrawn) Social class inequalities in disability-free life expectancy at older ages: findings from the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing (ELSA)

Edlira Gjonca, University College London
Faiza Tabassum, University College London
James Nazroo, University of Manchester

The objective of this study is to investigate social class differences in disability (in terms of physical function and mobility), survival and disability-free life expectancy at older ages in England. Data from a general population sample of residents aged 50 or older living in private households in England (n=11,392) were combined with life tables estimated from the total population of England and Wales aged 50 or older in order to estimate survival and disability. A disability index was constructed using questions on mobility, Activities of Daily Living and Instrumental Activities of Daily Living; life table functions were constructed by age, sex and social class, to give probability of surviving and life expectancy, by social class and gender; and disability-free life expectancy was estimated by integrating disability indices into survival functions. Social class is a strong predictor of both disability and survival; higher social classes having a lower prevalence of disability and higher survival chances. These findings apply to both males and females and all age groups in the 50+ age bracket. Disability-free life expectancy is longer among higher social classes for both males and females, showing that social class inequalities in life expectancy in England and Wales are amplified when disability-free life expectancy is also considered.