Biomarkers as precursors of disability

Presenter: Steve Pudney, University of Sheffield

Some social surveys now collect anthropometrics and markers derived from biological samples, in addition to self-reported health assessments. This information is expensive to collect; its value in medical epidemiology has been clearly established, but its potential contribution to social science research is less certain. We focus on disability, which results from biological processes but is defined in terms of its implications for social functioning and wellbeing. Using wave 2/3 Understanding Society baseline data, we estimate predictive models for disability 2-4 years ahead, using a wide range of biomarkers in addition to self-assessed health and other socio-economic covariates. We find a quantitatively important and statistically significant predictive role for both anthropometric and blood-based biomarkers.