Economic Status Over the Life Course and Racial Disparities in Health

Abstract

Our results show that although racial and socioeconomic disparities in health do not follow a simple explanation, we do provide strong support for the fundamental importance of social and economic resources. Unlike previous studies that emphasize the role of financial resources such as income and wealth, we show that the lack of these resources, as indicated by high levels of financial strain, provides an important clue to how economic resources influence health.

Subjective financial well-being, income and health inequalities in mid and later life in Britain

“…First, 'perceived material deprivation' is associated with poor health pointing to the role of reference groups (Whelan et al, 2001;Whelan & Maitre, 2013) and ability to enjoy customary standards of living as critical for health. Second, subjective feelings of income inadequacy and 'financial strain' are likely to produce stress, anxiety and helplessness with negative consequences for health (Bartley, 2004;Kahn & Fazio, 2005). Both relative 'material deprivation' and 'financial strain' can impact on health through feelings of demoralisation, and reductions in self-confidence, self-worth and sense of control (Angel et al, 2003;Pearlin et al, 1981).…”

“…Objective measures of income do not capture the meaning of income adequacy to individuals (Hazelrigg & Hardy, 1997;Mirowsky & Ross, 1999) with people on low incomes not always reporting financial strain, which indicates that these two measures are different and therefore may differentially impact on health (Angel et al, 2003). Kahn and Fazio (2005) highlight that income and financial strain (a form of SFW) are not the same; a level of income that may be sufficient to meet one individual's needs may be insufficient for another individual (Zimmerman & Katon, 2005). Social comparison and expectation may lead to differences in the perception of the adequacy of income (Angel et al, 2003).…”

“…This mechanism relates to reference group theory (Whelan and Maitre, 2013) and the role of social comparisons as a potential mediating factor between SFW and health. Secondly, subjective financial well-being may be linked to health through perceptions of 'financial strain/economic stress' because of inability to manage on their income, which involves psycho-social processes associated with stress, anxiety and helplessness (Bartley, 2004: Kahn & Fazio, 2005. Both of these mechanisms are likely to have longer-term negative impacts on health and well-being due to feelings of lack of a sense of control, hopelessness, demoralisation, and reductions in self-worth and self-confidence (Angel et al 2003;Pearlin, Menaghan, Lieberman & Mullan, 1981).…”

Como a posição social influencia a auto-avaliação do estado de saúde? Uma análise comparativa entre 1998 e 2003

“…Além disso, também comprova trabalhos que mostram que a saúde é pior para as minorias raciais e mulheres 42 , embora as diferenças de cor/raça se reduzam sensivelmente quando consideradas as posições sociais dos indivíduos. Essas diferenças no estado de saúde entre grupos de cor/raça podem associar-se a características sócio-econô-micas, acesso diferenciado de bens e serviços de saúde na sociedade 43 , à discriminação racial e diferenças genéticas na predisposição a doenças para indivíduos de diferentes grupos raciais/étnicos 44 .…”

Sleep Complaints in Older Blacks: Do Demographic and Health Indices Explain Poor Sleep Quality and Duration?

“…Prior research has supported that the accumulation of fi nancial strain throughout the lifespan is associated with poor health. 17 Thus, insuffi cient sleep in Blacks may be a result of past and current negative life experiences (i.e., fi nancial hardships). Individuals who experienced childhood economic hardships may likely have had limited housing options, forcing them to reside in impoverished, densely populated, noisy, and/or unsafe environment.…”