Differences in self-rated health among older adults according to socioeconomic circumstances: the Bambuí Health and Aging Study

Abstract

Self-rated health is influenced by socioeconomic circumstances, but related differences in its structure have received little attention. The objective of this study was to examine whether self-rated health structure differs according to socioeconomic circumstances in later life. The study included 1,505 individuals (86.4%) residing in Bambui and aged 60 years or older. Correlates of self-rated health among lower-income older adults (monthly household income < US$ 240.00) and higher-income seniors were assessed. Social network stood out as a major factor in the structure of self-rated health among the poorest. Psychological distress was independently associated with worse self-rated health among the poorest, while perceptions by the wealthiest were broader, including psychological distress, insomnia, Trypanosoma cruzi infection, use of medications, and access to health services. Physician visits and hospitalizations were associated with self-rated health in both groups. Our results show important differences in the structure of self-rated health according to socioeconomic circumstances and reinforce the need for policies to reduce health inequalities in later life.

A influência de respondente substituto na percepção da saúde de idosos: um estudo baseado na Pesquisa Nacional por Amostra de Domicílios (1998, 2003) e na coorte de Bambuí, Minas Gerais, Brasil

“…Estudos conduzidos em diferentes populações idosas têm mostrado que existe associação entre percepção de saúde e condição sócio-econômica 15,16,17,18,19,20 , condições de saúde 4,5,20,21 , acesso e uso de serviços de saúde, incluindo visitas a médicos e hospitalizações 5,20,22,23 , entre outros fatores não considerados no presente trabalho 2,5,20 . Os resultados das duas PNAD são consistentes com essas observações, mostrando uma estrutura da percepção da saúde baseada na escolaridade, condições de saúde e uso de serviços de saúde, além da idade e do sexo.…”

Autoavaliação do estado de saúde e fatores associados em idosos cadastrados na Estratégia Saúde da Família de Campina Grande, Paraíba

“…Therefore, studies have been developed to determine which variables are associated with a negative self-assessment of health, addressing demographic and socio-economic data, social support, lifestyle, health conditions and the use of services. [11][12][13][14][15][16][17] A study by Lima-Costa et al 15 used data from the Pesquisa Nacional por Amostra de Domicílios (PNAD) -National Household Sample Survey, which was conducted between 1998 and 2003. The authors confirmed that the variables of education, number of chronic conditions and number of medical consultations and hospitalizations in the previous 12 months were positively associated with "poor" or "very poor" self-assessments of health.…”

Associação entre fatores contextuais e auto-avaliação de saúde: uma revisão sistemática de estudos multinível

“…Fatores sócio-econômi-cos como educação, renda, desemprego, hábitos de vida são determinantes conhecidos da saú-de individual 3 e, em particular, da auto-avaliação da saúde 4,5,6 . Dentre os determinantes da auto-avaliação de saúde, destaca-se a posição sócio-econômica individual, essa associação tem sido amplamente demonstrada em diversos estudos 7,8,9,10 .…”