Health Transitions among Elderly Japanese: Do Patterns Differ by Gender and SES?

Yasuhiko Saito, Nihon University

Health of the elderly has recently become a very important issue in Japan due to the country's rapidly aging population. The growing number of elderly population will affect in many ways the current social systems in years to come. Japan has been ranked first in both longevity and health by the WHO since 2000. However, we know very little about the patterns of health transition by gender and SES . In this study we examine the difference in patterns of health transitions including mortality schedules using nationally representative longitudinal surveys of elderly Japanese conducted in 1999 and 2001. Preliminary analyses indicate there are differences between gender in deteriorating health but no difference in recovery from ill health. Moreover, the pattern of mortality by health status seems to be different by gender.