A comparative study of the relationship between morbidity and disability among exceptional survivors in Okinawa, Hawaii and mainland USA

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This project compared the relationship between morbidity and disability among centenarians in three areas: Okinawa (OCS), Hawaii (HHP) and mainland USA (NECS). Findings indicated: 1) about 1/3 of centenarians were classified as "survivors" (age of disease onset before age of 85 years) with higher numbers found in the HHP cohort, mainly due to relatively early onset of diabetes and hypertension in HHP men. 2) The greatest ADL difficulties among participants were found in "walking" and "hearing", however most remained independent in "self-feeding". 3) Men had fewer ADL difficulties than women. 4) Dementia, cerebrovascular disease and cataracts showed the strongest relationship with ADL difficulties.