Life Expectancy Free of Chronic Condition-induced Activity Limitations Among White and Black Americans, 2000-2006.

Objective-Life expectancy without activity limitations or active life expectancy is one of the health expectancy measures that is used to summarize population health. The measure differentiates the remaining years of life that are expected to be spent with activity limitations from expected years of life without activity limitations. The objective of this study was to estimate life expectancy with and without activity limitations for the white and black populations of the United States in the years 2000-2006, focusing on expected years free of chronic condition-induced activity limitations. Methods-Life expectancies for the total as well as the white and black populations for the years 2000-2006 were calculated separately using abridged single decrement life tables. Expected years of life with and without chronic condition-induced activity limitations were calculated using Sullivan's method. The statistical analysis is based on data from the U.S. Census Bureau and the National Center for Health Statistics. Results-Results of the study show that during the 7-year period, expected years free of chronic condition-induced activity limitations increased for the total population as well as the white and black populations of both sexes. For the total population, all males and all females, years free of chronic condition-induced activity limitations increased significantly at all ages except at 85 and over. Expected years free of chronic condition-induced activity limitations increased at age 75 and under for the white population and at age 65 and under for the black population.