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

• Published in: Revista de saúde pública Vol. 49
• Main Authors: Gomes, Marília Miranda Forte, Turra, Cássio Maldonado, Fígoli, Moema Gonçalves Bueno, Duarte, Yeda A O, Lebrão, Maria Lúcia
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Brazil Faculdade de Saúde Pública da Universidade de São Paulo 01-01-2015; Universidade de São Paulo
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adolescent Development; Adult; Age Factors; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Aging; Brazil; Child Development; Child, Preschool; Condições Sociais; Desenvolvimento Infantil; Disabled Persons - statistics & numerical data; Family Characteristics; Fatores Socioeconômicos; Female; Health Policy & Services; Humans; Idoso; Life Style; Male; Middle Aged; Mortalidade; Mortality - trends; Original; Residence Characteristics; Socioeconomic Factors; Survival Rate; Brazil; Idoso; Condições Sociais; Fatores Socioeconômicos; Mortality; Mortalidade; Aged; Child Development; Desenvolvimento Infantil; Social Conditions; Socioeconomic Factors
• ISSN: 0034-8910; 1518-8787; 1518-8787; 0034-8910
• DOI: 10.1590/S0034-8910.2015049005555

To analyze whether socioeconomic and health conditions during childhood are associated with mortality during old age.
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.
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.
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.