The first curve shows the health-related quality of life of women living in households. After an important decline during their 40s, women's health-related quality of life remains around 0.90 and declines slowly until about age 80, at which points the decline accelerates. The curve that includes women living in institutions as well as those in households follows a similar trajectory, although the paths begin to diverge at age 80 with a more rapid decline among the group that consists of those in households and institutions. The third curve represents the health-related quality of life of women living in households or institutions and includes decedents. This curve begins to decline at about age 70 and declines more rapidly than the other two curves. Health-adjusted life expectancy at birth is represented as a vertical line at age 71, and life expectancy at birth is at age 82. Health-adjusted life expectancy at age 65 is represented by a vertical line at age 79, and life expectancy at age 65 is at age 85.