Regional differences in life expectancy, self-perceived health, reported activity limitations and chronic morbidity in Latvia during 2006-2012

Natalja Dubkova, University of Latvia

Final results of Population Census 2011 in Latvia allowed to update information on population number and age composition, and to recalculate socio-demographic indicators during pre-census period. Standard tabulation procedure does not include calculation of life expectancies, HLY and associated health characteristics for urban-rural residents and by regions. The study aims to analyze differences in life expectancies and health expectancies at different ages, based on self-perceived health, activity limitations and chronic morbidity in Latvia during 2006-2012, as well as to answer the question whether population living in rural areas and in certain regions of Latvia can expect to live shorter life with more years spent with chronic morbidity and disability. The relative excess of urban-to-rural, female-to-male regional-to-country total life expectancy in Latvia as well as number of years lived without disability and chronic morbidity for urban population over the rural residents will be emphasised and analysed. Regional differences in HLY and associated health characteristics also will be discussed. The highest indicators, which exceeded country total values, were recorded in Pieriga – a region around the capital city Riga. Greatest and statistically significant difference (95% confidence limit) from other regions demonstrated socio-economically least-developed Latvia’s region Latgale, where life expectancy, healthy life years without activity limitation and chronic morbidity were substantially below country total. In Riga, life expectancy and healthy life years exceeded country total values, whereas life expectancy without chronic morbidity was shorter.