Mortality and Morbidity Trends: Is There Compression of Morbidity?

OBJECTIVE: This paper reviews trends in mortality and morbidity to evaluate whether there has been a compression of morbidity. METHODS: Review of recent research and analysis of recent data for the United States relating mortality change to the length of life without 1 of 4 major diseases or loss of mobility functioning. RESULTS: Mortality declines have slowed down in the United States in recent years, especially for women. The prevalence of disease has increased. Age-specific prevalence of a number of risk factors representing physiological status has stayed relatively constant; where risks decline, increased usage of effective drugs is responsible. Mobility functioning has deteriorated. Length of life with disease and mobility functioning loss has increased between 1998 and 2008. DISCUSSION: Empirical findings do not support recent compression of morbidity when morbidity is defined as major disease and mobility functioning loss.