Inequalities in health-related quality of life and functional health of an aging population: A Canadian community perspective

BACKGROUND: Reducing health inequalities among older adults is crucial to ensuring healthy aging is within reach for all. The current study provides a timely update on demographic- and geographic-related inequalities in healthy aging among older adults residing in Canadian communities. METHODS: Data was extracted from the Canadian Health Survey on Seniors [2019-2020] for ~6 million adults aged 65 years and older residing in 10 provinces of Canada. Healthy aging was defined by two indices: 1] health-related quality of life and 2] functional health. Poisson regression models and spatial mapping were used to demonstrate inequalities among age, race, and sex categories, and health regions. RESULTS: Approximately 90.3% of individuals reported less than perfect quality of life and 18.8% reported less than perfect functional health. The prevalence of less than perfect quality of life was higher for females [PR 1.14, 95% CI;1.02-1.29] and for older adults aged ≥80 years as compared to males and older adults aged ≤79 years [PR 1.66, 95% CI;1.49-1.85]. Similarly, the prevalence of less than perfect functional health was higher for females [PR 1.58, 95% CI;1.32-1.89] and for older adults aged ≥80 years [PR 2.71, 95% CI;2.59-2.84]. Spatial mapping showed that regions of lower quality of life were concentrated in the Prairies and Western Ontario, whereas regions of higher quality of life were concentrated in Quebec. CONCLUSIONS: Amongst older individuals residing in Canadian communities, less than perfect quality of life and functional health is unequally distributed among females, older adults aged ≥80 years, and those residing in the Prairie regions specifically. Newer policy should focus on interventions targeted at these subpopulations to ensure that healthy aging in within reach for all Canadians.