Past and present: conditions of life during childhood and mortality of older adults

Abstract

OBJECTIVE To analyze whether socioeconomic and health conditions during childhood are associated with mortality during old age.METHODS Data were extracted from the SABE Study (Saúde, Bem-estar e Envelhecimento – Health, Welfare and Aging), which were performed in 2000 and 2006. The sample consisted of 2004 (1,355 living and 649 dead) older adults. The statistical analysis was performed based on Poisson regression models, taking into account the time variation of risk observed. Older adults’ demographic characteristics and life conditions were evaluated, as were the socioeconomic and lifestyle conditions they acquired during their adult life.RESULTS Only the area of residence during childhood (rural or urban) remained as a factor associated with mortality at advanced ages. However, this association lost significance when the variables acquired during adulthood were added to the model.CONCLUSIONS Despite the information regarding the conditions during childhood being limited and perhaps not accurately measure the socioeconomic status and health in the first years of life, the findings of this study suggest that improving the environmental conditions of children and creating opportunities during early adulthood may contribute to greater survival rates for those of more advanced years.

Mortality in community-dwelling elderly: coefficient and associated factors

“…Studies investigated the variable "education" (27,29) and found no association with mortality. However, the SABE study found out that the higher the survival of the elderly, the higher the level of education (31) . Hence, we inferred that, since education is a determining and conditioning factor of health, low education can compromise the health self-care of the elderly (32) .…”

“…This study's results should be interpreted according to the understanding of some limitations. Studies have shown that childhood living conditions (31) , cognitive decline (26) , body composition (25) , and biomarkers of oxidative stress (27) are associated with mortality in older people. These conditions were not investigated in the present study.…”

Prevalence of Alzheimer's disease according to anticholinesterase drug usage from 2012 to 2017 in the state of Paraná, Brazil

“…There are also biological differences between the genders, such as protective factors related to female hormones. Also, there are differences in lifestyle; men are generally more exposed to risks at work, and alcohol and tobacco consumption 36 .…”