IntroductionAs a cohort ages, the prevalence of functional limitationsincreases; that is, an increasing proportion of its members have?lIculty performing personal care or home management ac,.vities. Whereas the increase in the prevalence of functionallimitations tends to occur in all aging cohorts, its pace maydiffer among subgroups of the population and may change overtime. The prevalence of functional limitations is an importantindicator of quality of life and of the need for health and socialservices in the aging population. It is important, therefore, thatthe levels, differentials, and trends in prevalence of functionallimitations be remeasured periodically.The National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) hasmeasured the prevalence of functional limitations in several ofits surveys. * The data presented in this report, which comefrom the 1984 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS), willbe discussed in greater detail in a future NCHS publication.The NHIS is a continuing nationwide survey of the civiliannoninstitutionalized population of the United States. Eachyear, people in about 40,000 households are interviewed bythe U.S. Bureau of the Census to obtain information abouttheir health and use of health care. Demographic informationneeded to interpret the data is also obtained. The interviewerson this survey have special training in addition to their regulartraining. Response rates are high-about 97 percent.The 1984 NHIS included a special questiomaire, theSupplement on Aging (SOA), aimed at elderly people living inthe community. The SOA was designed to collect informationI bout physical limitations, chronic conditions, housing, retiremtstatus, interactions with family and organizations, use ofommunity services, and other health-related information about
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