Understanding the linkages among Employment, Chronic Disease Prevalence and Medical Care among Older Population in India: A bi-directional perspective

This study assessed the association between employment, chronic disease prevalence and medical care aspects of older population in India .Study have used India Human Development Survey (IHDS, 2005). The assessment of employment by background characteristics reveals that greater proportion of lower socio-economic groups and belonging to rural areas are working at older ages. Moreover importantly, findings suggested a bi-directional relationship between employment and chronic diseases in older population: Older population engaged in regular paid work has lower likelihood of suffering from chronic disease (OR=0.845; p<0.01) compared to people who are not working (OR=1.00); in alternative words, older persons suffering from chronic diseases are unable to work in regular paid jobs. Similarly, greater proportions of not-working older persons, those are suffering with chronic diseases and have monetary support through retirement pension and savings from previous job are seeking more modern treatment and expense on treatment of chronic diseases. Hence, the results fosters that ‘employment determines and is determined by chronic disease prevalence among older population in India’. These results would allow policy makers to greater ascertain the health care and financial needs, alternative social protection programs, and develop appropria