Socioeconomic Inequalities in Functional Health in Older Adults

In the 80-to '90 s decades, Chile experienced fast and sustained economic growth. However, this economic growth had been associated with significant income inequalities and insufficient public policies, particularly affecting the older population. This study aims to examine the association between socioeconomic inequalities and functional health in older adults in Chile. This cross-sectional study used data from the National Socioeconomic Characterization Survey-2017 (CASEN/2017). Self-reported basic activities of daily living (BADL) limitations stratified by sex were linked with the national autonomous household income deciles. To analyze the differences in functional health limitations across household income deciles groups, we include the 10/10, 20/20 and 40/10 inequalities index. Based on a sample of 44,017 older adults aged 60 or over, women presented statistically significant higher prevalence and more severe functional limitations in all the six BADLs than men. A descending gradient of both levels on the six BADL functional limitation rates, moving from the poorest to the wealthiest deciles in both sexes, was noticed. Except for mild/moderate functional limitation of getting in/out of bed, the size of the gradient in men across deciles was more pronounced than in women at all the remaining BADL limitations. The results suggest significant socioeconomic inequalities in functional health among older adults in Chile. The magnitude varies by sex, affecting women more than men. Our findings highlight the need for policies and programs to decrease socioeconomic inequalities during early adulthood and reduce functional health limitations later in life.