Social Variations in Health in Early Old Age : Investigation of Precursors in a 60 Year Follow-up Study, 1997-2004

<P>Abstract copyright UK Data Service and data collection copyright owner.</P><br>The original aims of this project in 1997 were:<ul><li>to investigate the processes which generate variations in health in early old age, specifically cumulative differential exposure to health damaging physical environments and their interaction with health</li><li>to identify the respective contributions of childhood circumstances, including health, of adult events and behaviours and of current circumstances to variations in health in early old age</li><li>to collect detailed information on the lives of a random sample of a unique survey population, for use during analyses of the whole survey population. This dataset offers the rare opportunity to examine the development of health and disease across the whole life- course</li><li>to use a research method which has been developed specifically for such purposes</li><li>to produce results which will increase understanding of, and aid the efficient allocation of resources to, an age group which experiences high morbidity and considerable need for medical care</li></ul>The 2000 project followed participants who were originally interviewed in 1997. The study sought to develop a new, theoretically informed measure of quality of life in early old age, examining whether and to what extent people experience a<br>
‘Third Age’ of independence and satisfaction during the post-retirement phase of life, and what factors may influence this experience.<br>
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The 2004 project followed participants who were interviewed in both 1997 and 2000. The aim of this study was to identify, in a small cohort, contextual and life course influences on change in quality of life and physiological status through early old age.<br>
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For the second edition (June 2008), follow-up data for 2000 and 2004 were added to the original 1997 data. Additional documentation was also made available.<br>
<br><br><B>Main Topics</B>:<BR><br>The original 1997 dataset contains a full residential and occupational history for 294 subjects. <br>
Basic demographic data includes: parental social class, year of birth, site of original survey, number of siblings, year of marriage, social class of spouse, number of children. <br>
For each residence the data includes: period of residence, house type, number of rooms, tenure, number of occupants, heating, damp, proximity to factories (pre-1960), proximity to A-roads (post-1960), area type.<br>
For each occupation the data includes: period of employment, social class, presence and type of fumes and dusts, was the work arduous, demand-control score.<br>
Current living conditions and health data include: car ownership, number of state and occupational pensions, social class, smoking status, long-standing and limiting illness, medication, blood pressure, spirometry, height, weight, leg length. Total hazard exposure scores are also included.<br>
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The 2000 and 2004 datasets contain follow-up questions about the respondent since last in interview and further questions about everyday life, health, retirement and pensions.<br>
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Standard Measures<br>
Registrar General's current Classification of Occupations;<br>
height (cms), weight (kgs), forced vital capacity (litres), forced expiratory volume in one second (litres), blood pressure, leg length (cms).<br>