Morbidity
Definition
Morbidity refers to the presence, burden, or frequency of disease and ill health in individuals or populations. It is about illness and impairment, not death itself. [1] [2]
Why It Matters in Ageing Research
Ageing elevates morbidity risk through physiological decline, often producing multimorbidity that erodes function and healthspan even when lifespan increases. This is why ageing research often asks not only whether people live longer, but how many of those years are lived with disease, disability, or reduced independence. [3] [4]
Common Confusion
- Morbidity is not the same as mortality, which refers to death.
- Morbidity can refer to one disease or to the broader burden of multiple conditions.
- Lower mortality does not automatically mean lower morbidity.
Related Reading
References
- Hessler, R. M., et al. (2003). The compression of morbidity debate. Archives of Gerontology and Geriatrics. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0167494303000487
- Blaum, C. (American Geriatrics Society). Morbidity, comorbidity, and multimorbidity. https://www.americangeriatrics.org/sites/default/files/inline-files/caroline_blaum.pdf
- Barnett, K., et al. (2012). Epidemiology of multimorbidity and implications for health care, research, and medical education. The Lancet. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22579043/
- Fries, J. F. (2011). Compression of morbidity 1980-2011. Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3163136/
Note
This glossary entry is provided for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice.