Life course socio-demographic circumstances and the association between housing tenure and disability-free life expectancy in Australia: a longitudinal cohort study.

ABSTRACT:

Abstract

Introduction

This study aimed to assess the extent to which the association between housing tenure and disability-free life years is independent of socio-demographic circumstances from earlier in life.

Methods

We analysed nationally representative data from the Household Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia survey. Participants were followed up for 14 years (2001-2014). Housing tenure was measured by the question, "Do you (or any other members of this household) own this home, rent it, or do you live here rent-free?" Disability was defined by the SF-36 physical function subscale. We used multistate modelling and inverse probability weighting to estimate the association between housing tenure (home ownership vs renting) and disability-free life expectancy (DFLE), adjusting for a range of socio-demographic indicators.

Results

The sample included 6164 participants (52.5% women) aged 45 years and older in 2001. In weighted analyses that adjusted for earlier life circumstances, for men, the estimated total life expectancy (TLE) at age 65 among renters was 16.7 years, 2.3 (95% CI -3.7 to -0.7) years shorter than the TLE of 19.0 years for owner-occupiers. DFLE was 1.8 years shorter for renters than owner-occupiers. For women at age 65, the weighted TLE was estimated to be 20.6 years, 2.3 (95% CI -3.9 to -0.6) years shorter than the 22.9 years estimated for owner-occupiers. Compared with owner-occupiers, DFLE was 3.1 years shorter for women renters.

Conclusions

Both men and women renters had shorter disability-free and TLE than owner-occupiers independent of earlier life circumstances. There is a need for policies addressing potential health disparities linked to housing tenure.

SUBMITTER: Hambisa MT 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12480971 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature