Identifying and Modelling Unmet Healthcare Needs in Older Australian Women: A Latent Class Analysis Approach

Janine Charnley, The University of Newcastle
Xenia Dolja-Gore, University of Newcastle
Julie Byles, University of Newcastle
Dominic Cavenagh, The University of Newcastle

Australia faces significant challenges in its healthcare system due to demographic shifts and an ageing population. This research examines unmet healthcare needs in older Australian women. By developing archetypes to model these needs, the study will inform policy development, resource allocation, and service provision. Objectives: 1. Estimate healthcare use relative to need in women aged 60+. 2. Identify distinct subgroups based on healthcare needs and access patterns. 3. Provide summary statistics for falls, chronic pain, difficulties with I/ADLs, and service use among Australian women aged 60+. Methodology: Using data from the Australian Longitudinal Study on Women’s Health Study (ALSWH), the study will employ Latent Class Analysis (LCA) to identify subgroups with similar healthcare needs and experiences. The analysis will include variables such as physical and mental health, symptoms, healthcare service utilisation, diagnosis of chronic conditions, pain interference, and satisfaction with self-care abilities. Expected Outcomes: The study will produce archetypes illustrating profiles of need and unmet need, highlighting barriers to care and disparities in access. These findings will guide strategies to improve healthcare delivery and accessibility, enhancing the well-being of older Australian women.

Keywords: Population Ageing, Older Adults and Intergenerational Relations, Linked data sets , Inequality, Disadvantage and Discrimination

See extended abstract.