HEALTHY AGEING AND ITS DETERMINANTS IN SOUTHERN REGION OF INDIA: EVIDENCE FROM A NATIONAL POPULATION-BASED SURVEY

Ravisankar Athimulam Kulasekaran, Annamalai University (Retried)
Charumathi Ravisankar, Directorate of Public Health
Ramesh M.S., Annamalai University

This study examines factors associated with healthy ageing of elderly in South India. Data retrieved from Longitudinal Aging Survey of India (2017-18). Totally 7,578 elderly were considered. Healthy Ageing Index (HAI) was constructed based on psychological health, functional health, cognitive ability, psychological wellbeing and social well-being domains. Bivariate and logistic regression was estimated to examine the covariates of healthy ageing. Two-third of elderly reported any one of chronic health issues. Satisfaction with Life Scale analysis shows that 30% reported less level of life satisfaction. According to the HAI, around 38% of Southern elderly was healthier, however, it ranges from 43.6% for Kerala to 20.7% for Telangana. Proportion of healthier elderly was higher among youngest old (43.2%), male (47.5%), urban (45%), degree holder elderly (73.5%), currently working elderly (47.7%), high exposed to media (57.5%), elderly live with spouse and children (45.3%), than their respective counterparts. Multivariate analysis suggests that elderly aged above 70 were 39% less likely to attain healthy ageing compared to youngest old. Female elderly were 46% less likely to attain healthy ageing when compared to male elderly. Compared to physically inactive aged people, physically active elderly were two times more likely attain healthy ageing in Southern India.

Keywords: Health and Morbidity, Big data, Longitudinal studies

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