Morbidity Expansion among Thai population

Abstract

Average life expectancies of both genders in Thailand tend to increase due to declining birth and mortality rates. Additionally, average life expectancies in the elderly tend to increase considerably. A long life may be a life combining with good health, morbidity, and disability. The purposes of this study were to examine four kinds of trends 1) trends of chronic diseases (hypertension, diabetes) and health parameters (fasting plasma glucose, total cholesterol, and body mass Index) by aged-specific prevalence rates, 2) trends of the activities of daily living disabilities by aged specific rates, 3) trends in age-specific mortality rates of chronic diseases (ischemic heart disease, cerebrovascular disease, and cancers), and 4) trends of the proportion of active life expectancy to life expectancy at age 60 and over. This was a cross-sectional study using secondary data which included morbidity, disability, and mortality data. The morbidity data were derived from the National Health Examination Survey consisting of questionnaire and health exam. The mortality data were extracted from the national vital statistics reports. The disability data were derived from Survey of Elderly in Thailand and estimated active life expectancies were calculated using the Sullivan Method. Results show 1) increasing trends of chronic diseases and health parameters by aged-specific prevalence rates, 2) increasing trends of the activities of daily living disabilities by aged specific rates, 3) increasing trends in age-specific mortality rates of chronic diseases, and 4) declining trends of the proportion of active life expectancy to life expectancy at age 60 and over. In conclusion, Thai population may not only live longer, but also live with morbidity and disability. This study confirms the expansion of morbidity among Thai population. Important policy recommendations are to promote healthy life style such as exercising and eating food full with nutrition, to prepare the nation for aging population including government services for disabled elderly, and to prepare family and community in caring for elderly and elderly with disability.