International Institute for Population Sciences
Deemed to be University (An Autonomous Organization of Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India)

Abstract The well-being of elderly individuals, both physically and psychologically, is greatly influenced by their health conditions, known as morbidity. Recognizing the significant impact of chronic diseases on disability is essential for developing effective policies and programs. This study investigates the association between chronic illnesses and disability in the elderly population of Kerala. The data used for this study is sourced from the "Longitudinal Ageing study in India" (LASI), the largest longitudinal aging study globally and a pioneering initiative in India, providing valuable data. The information was collected from all the States and Union Territories across India during 2017–2018, with a total of 72,265 participants aged 45 and above. For this particular study, only data from Kerala state was used for bivariate and multivariate analysis. The findings revealed that 35 per cent of the elderly participants had diabetes, 12 per cent had heart diseases, over half of them had hypertension, and approximately 28 per cent suffered from Arthritis disease. Moreover, around 25 per cent of the respondents had at least one functional disability, and 41.5 per cent experienced some physical disability. The multivariate analysis confirmed the bivariate results, indicating that older individuals with chronic illnesses faced a significantly higher risk of functional disabilities. Regular assessments of the health status of the elderly population and a focus on providing necessary preventive and curative measures are crucial policy objectives to ensure the well-being of older individuals.