Measuring inequalities in health: The case for healthy life expectancy

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate healthy life expectancy (HLE) as a measure of health inequalities by comparing geographical and area-based deprivation-related inequalities in healthy and total life expectancy (TLE). Design: Life table analysis based on ecological cross-sectional data. Setting and population: Council area quarters and postcode sector-based deprivation fifths in Scotland. Main outcome measures: Expectation of life in good self-assessed general health, or free from limiting long-term illness, and TLE, for females and males at birth. Results: Women in Scotland have a life expectation of 70.3 years in good health, 61.6 years free from limiting long-term illness, and a TLE of 78.9 years. C..