A multi-level analysis of multimorbidity predictors, outcomes and resilience

Multimorbidity is the condition under which an individual has been diagnosed with two or more concurrent chronic diseases, which afflicts approximately two-thirds of the older population of Canada. For older adults with multimorbidity, the goal to live and age well frequently poses significant challenges, given that chronic conditions are long lasting, often entail pain or discomfort, and limit functioning, and performance of social roles. One major gap in the literature is a better understanding of the ways in which social engagement and participation, and their counterpart – social isolation, are affected by multimorbidity and the ways in which individuals adapt. This research aims to: 1) conduct spacial analyses to map multimorbidity prevalence by age group (cohort), sex, and postal code; 2) identify multilevel predictors of multimorbidity; 3) investigate the influence of multimorbidity trajectories on social isolation, health behaviours/outcomes and health care utilization; and 4) identify factors that contribute to resilience when living with multimoridity.