The Second Longitudinal Study of Aging (LSOA II)

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Survey Description

The Second Longitudinal Study of Aging (LSOA II) is a collaborative effort of the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) and the National Institute on Aging (NIA). The Second Supplement on Aging (SOA II), conducted in conjunction with the 1994 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS), served as the baseline for the study. The LSOA II is a prospective study with a nationally representative sample comprised of 9,447 civilian noninstitutionalized persons 70 years of age and over at the time of their SOA II interview. The LSOA II followed this cohort of older persons through two followup interviews, conducted in 1997-98 and 1999-2000. While the baseline interview was administered face-to-face in the home by U.S. Census Bureau interviewers, followup interviews were administered using Computer Assisted Telephone Interviews (CATI) by the National Opinion Research Center at the University of Chicago. Plans are to augment the interview data by linkage to Medicare records, the National Death Index, and multiple cause-of-death records.

The LSOA II was designed to:

  • provide a replication of the first LSOA in order to determine whether there have been changes in the disability and impairment process among older persons between the 1980s and 1990s,
  • provide information on the sequence and consequences of health events, including use and nonuse of medical care and services employed for assisted community living, on the physiological and psychosocial consequences of failure to receive adequate assistance, on social consequences such as changes in social activities, living arrangements, familial support, and the use of community services, and on the deployment of assisted living strategies, use of assistive devices, and the accessibility of technological and environmental adaptations,
  • provide information on the causes and correlates of changes in the functioning of older Americans, including social and demographic characteristics, preexisting and emerging physical illnesses, cognitive and emotional status, and social and environmental support, and
  • provide important new information on individual health risks and behaviors in the elderly including alcohol and cigarette use, use of hormone replacement therapy, receipt of important health screenings such as mammography and prostate exams, body mass and weight loss, physical activity, and diet and nutrition.

The survey design and contents of the LSOA II are similar to the first LSOA with improvements and enhancements reflecting the methodological and conceptual developments that have occurred during the intervening decade. The LSOA II data, when used in conjunction with data from the original LSOA, enables researchers to determine whether the prevalence and incidence of functioning, pathology, and impairments in the elderly population have changed over 10 years and whether the change is due to differences in cohort characteristics or to technological and medical advancements. This provides researchers and policy planners with an opportunity to examine trends in “healthy aging,” the determinants of these trends, the differences in these trends in two cohorts of older Americans, and their social and economic consequences. The LSOA II fills a gap within the existing family of longitudinal studies of aging by providing a wealth of important and unique data on a cohort of the oldest-old who began the survey while functioning effectively within the community.

Data File Contents

The LSOA II data files contain either information from sample persons who were living at the time of the followup interview (Survivor data files) or information collected from a proxy on behalf of sample persons who were deceased at the time of the followup interview (Decedent data files).

LSOA II Survivor Data File

The LSOA II Survivor data file contains information from several sources, including the 1994 NHIS core questionnaire, the 1994 Family Resources Supplement, Phase I of the 1994 National Health Interview Survey on Disability, the Second Supplement on Aging (baseline interview), and the LSOA II followup interviews. Below is an overview of data file variables at a glance:

1994 National Health Interview Survey

  • Demographic characteristics (including age, sex, race, Hispanic origin, marital status, veteran status, major activity, education, and family income)
  • Limitation of activities (long term)
  • Restriction of activities (2 weeks)
  • Bed-days (previous year and 2 weeks)
  • Chronic conditions and impairments (long term)
  • Acute conditions (2 weeks)
  • Doctor visits (previous year and 2 weeks)
  • Hospital stays (previous year)

1994 Family Resources Supplement

  • Unmet need for care
  • Reasons for unmet need for care

1994 National Health Interview Survey on Disability, Phase I

  • Mental health
  • Substance abuse
  • Limitation due to mental health
  • Receipt of services for mental health
  • Unmet need for mental health services
  • Reasons for unmet need for mental health services
  • Unmet need for other health services

1994 Second Supplement on Aging

  • Family structure, relationships, and living arrangements
  • Housing and long-term care
  • Relationships, social contacts, and social activity
  • Physical functioning, including ADLs, IADLs, and Nagi activities
  • Chronic conditions and impairments
  • Health opinions and behaviors
  • Use of health, personal care, and social services
  • Use of assistive devices and technologies
  • Health insurance
  • Employment history
  • Transportation

1997-1998 LSOA II Wave 2 Survivor Interview

  • Housing, migration and long-term care
  • Family structure, relationships and living arrangements
  • Social activity
  • Physical functioning, including ADLs, IADLs, and Nagi activities
  • Conditions and impairments
  • Health opinions, behaviors and nutrition
  • Cognitive functioning for self-respondents
  • Cognitive functioning for proxy-respondents
  • Health care utilization
  • Health insurance
  • Income and assets
  • Childhood health and family longevity

1999-2000 LSOA II Wave 3 Survivor Interview

  • Housing, migration and long-term care
  • Family structure, relationships and living arrangements
  • Social activity
  • Physical functioning, including ADLs, IADLs, and Nagi activities
  • Conditions and impairments
  • Health opinions, behaviors and nutrition
  • Cognitive functioning for self-respondents
  • Cognitive functioning for proxy respondents
  • Health care utilization
  • Health insurance
  • Income and assets
  • Childhood health and family longevity

LSOA II Decedent Data File

The LSOA II Decedent data file contains information from the 1994 NHIS core questionnaire and the LSOA II followup interviews. Below is an overview of data file variables at a glance:

1994 National Health Interview Survey

  • Demographic characteristics (including age, sex, race, Hispanic origin, marital status, veteran status, major activity, education, and family income)
  • Limitation of activities (long term)
  • Restriction of activities (2 weeks)
  • Bed-days (previous year and 2 weeks)
  • Chronic conditions and impairments (long term)
  • Acute conditions (2 weeks)
  • Doctor visits (previous year and 2 weeks)
  • Hospital stays (previous year)

1997-1998 LSOA II Wave 2 Decedent Interview

  • Housing, migration and long-term care
  • Family structure, relationships and living arrangements
  • Physical functioning, including ADLs
  • Conditions and impairments
  • Health opinions
  • Cognitive functioning for proxy-respondents
  • Health care utilization
  • Health insurance

1999-2000 LSOA II Wave 3 Decedent Interview

  • Housing, migration and long-term care
  • Family structure, relationships and living arrangements
  • Physical functioning, including ADLs
  • Conditions and impairments
  • Health opinions
  • Cognitive functioning for proxy-respondents
  • Health care utilization
  • Health insurance

Geographic Coverage

The LSOA II sample is representative of the civilian noninstitutionalized U.S. population 70 years of age and over at mid-year 1995. Baseline geographic indicators include the four major census regions (Northeast, Midwest, South, West), type of primary sampling unit (based on 1970 census), and SMSA/Non-SMSA residence status.

Data Availability

Baseline Data

The LSOA II baseline data is no longer available on CD-ROM: The Second Supplement on Aging, 1994, Version 2, No. 1 (issued September 1998). Due to budget constraints, we are unable to reprint until further notice.

Followup Data

Two followup interviews were conducted with LSOA II sample members: Wave 2 was administered between 1997-98 and Wave 3 was administered between 1999-2000. As mentioned above, two data files are produced for each followup wave. Thus, a total of four followup data files comprise the LSOA II. These four data files are listed below, with links to sites providing specific information on data availability:

Related Reports and the LSOA II Questionnaires

To date, no detailed description of the LSOA II has been published, however all LSOA II codebooks contain comprehensive overviews of the sample design and survey methodology. These codebooks and the survey instruments can be accessed from the file-specific sites listed above.