SOCIAL INEQUALITIES IN DISABILITY-FREE AND HEALTHY LIFE EXPECTANCY INAUSTRIA

The purpose of this study is to describe socioeconomic differences in the health status and mortality of the Austrian population. Socioecono mic differentials in disability and self-perceived health are studied on the basis of educational groups. The data are drawn from the 1991 A ustrian micro-census on health and from linked death and census record s for the years 1981/82. The maximum number of years lived between age s 30 and 75 is divided into years lost, years lived in disability or p oor health and years lived without disability or in good health. Our f indings clearly indicate a correlation between higher education and hi gher life expectancy and lower morbidity. Comparing the two indicators , more years are lived in poor health than in severe functional disabi lity. The two concepts of health lead to different conclusions when re sults for men and women are compared: women live more years in disabil ity than men but fewer years in poor health. Differences between educa tional groups are lower when the concept of self-perceived health is a pplied.