Life Expectancy Free of Disabilities by Prevalence of Permanent Limitations, Argentina 2009-2010

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: As mortality shifts to extreme ages, and morbidity from chronic non-communicable diseases predominates, life expectancy at birth is not enough to assess the overall health status of populations, whose members may suffer the consequences for long periods of disabling diseases. In these scenarios, indicators like life expectancy free of disabilities (LEFD) and with disabilities (LEWD) are recommended to evaluate population health conditions. OBJECTIVES: To estimate the LEFD due to physical or cognitive diseases for Argentina in 2010. METHODS: Sullivan method was used to calculate both indicators. The basic information was obtained from the 2010 Census of Argentina. LEFD and LEWD at birth and specific ages for the Argentine population were calculated. An indicator about impact of the disability on life expectancy was developed to assess the differences found RESULTS:. The study revealed provincial differences related to health and disease profile by sex as well as the impact of the disability on the whole life course by provinces and sex.. CONCLUSIONS: Women are expected to live free of limitations longer than men, but with a higher load of permanent disabilities. Buenos Aires City is the jurisdiction with the highest life expectancy free of disability and with the lowest potential load, while the province with the greatest impact of disability is Jujuy.