Self evaluation of disability-adjusted life expectancy of residents aged ≥15 years in Zhejiang

Objective To analyze the self evaluation of disability-adjusted life expectancy (DALE) of the residents aged15 years in Zhejiang province and compare the differences between males and females,between urban area and rural area. Methods The data of death registration and self health evaluation in the 4th health services survey in Zhejiang in 2008 were used to calculate the DALE by Sullivans method. Results In the urban and rural area,the self evaluated DALE of residents aged15 years was 57.77 years and 54.80 years respectively,the proportion of the DALE accounted for 90.25% and 88.86% in 2008. The self evaluated DALE and the proportion of the DALE in the urban area were higher than in rural area. The life expectancy and DALE of females were longer than males,but the proportion of DALE was short than males. Conclusion The effort to prevent disease and reduce disability should be strengthened for elderly and female populations,the rural health services and health resource allocation should be improved to increase the health level of rural residents.