Exploring the Differentials in Life Spent in a Healthy State among the Elders in India - A State-wise Analysis

Life expectancy and healthy life expectancy at age 60 reflect the health, well-being, and medical care a society offers its older population. The study examines the prevalence of major non-communicable diseases among the elderly in Indian states, focusing on gender and place of residence, and estimating healthy life expectancy at 60. Information was gathered from the Sample Registration System (SRS) 2018 and the first wave of the Longitudinal Ageing Study in India (LASI). Life expectancy reflects mortality trends throughout life and is positively linked to improvements in welfare and health. Healthy life expectancy measures a country’s success in reducing significant disease incidence, duration, and severity. Gender-wise differentials in life expectancy consistently reveal that women, irrespective of state, have higher life expectancy than men. However, when examining the proportion of healthy life expectancy, most states in India indicate that men have a higher rate than women. This underscores the need for geriatric clinics and health programs that promote healthy lifestyles among older populations, thereby boosting healthy life expectancy for men and women. It also highlights the importance of fostering community-driven health programs that engage men and women alike, emphasising collaborative efforts to improve health indicators across all demographics.