Variation in the Gender Gap in Inactive and Active Life Expectancy by the Definition of Inactivity Among Older Adults

Abstract

Objective: To assess variation in gender gap (female–male) in inactive life expectancy (IALE) and active life expectancy (ALE) by definition of inactivity. Method: Inactivity, among older Singaporeans, was defined as follows: Scenario 1—health-related difficulty in activities of daily living (ADLs); Scenario 2—health-related difficulty in ADLs/instrumental ADLs (IADLs); Scenario 3—health-related difficulty in ADLs/IADLs or non-health-related non-performance of IADLs. Multistate life tables computed IALE and ALE at age 60, testing three hypotheses: In all scenarios, life expectancy, absolute and relative IALE, and absolute ALE are higher for females (Hypothesis 1 [H1]); gender gap in absolute and relative IALE expands, and in absolute ALE, it contracts in Scenario 2 versus 1 (Hypothesis 2 [H2]); gender gap in absolute and relative IALE decreases, and in absolute ALE, it increases in Scenario 3 versus 2 (Hypothesis 3 [H3]). Results: H1 was supported in Scenarios 1 and 3 but not Scenario 2. Both H2 and H3 were supported. Discussion: Definition of inactivity influences gender gap in IALE and ALE.