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International Journal for Equity in Health
Published in: International Journal for Equity in Health 1/2017

Open Access 01-12-2017 | Research

Determinants of and socio-economic disparities in self-rated health in China

Authors: Jiaoli Cai, Peter C. Coyte, Hongzhong Zhao

Published in: International Journal for Equity in Health | Issue 1/2017

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Abstract

Background

Self-rated health (SRH) is not only used to measure health status and health inequalities, but also as a strong predictor of morbidity and mortality. The purpose of this study was to: 1) evaluate the factors that account for variations in self-rated health among Chinese citizens; and to 2) explore the process through which socio-economic status may impact self-rated health.

Methods

Data were derived from the Chinese General Social Survey (CGSS) (2013). Determinants of self-rated health were analyzed along four main dimensions: demographic characteristics, socio-economic status, lifestyle, and psychosocial factors. Multivariate odds ratios for good self-rated health were calculated for different variables in order to analyze the determinants. Binary logistic regression analysis was performed to assess the extent to which lifestyle and psychosocial factors explained the association between socio-economic status and self-rated health.

Results

About 65% of the survey respondents reported good self-rated health. Women, the elderly, married or single respondents and residents of Western China were less likely to report good self-rated health. Respondents who were engaged in work, had higher household income, reported high social class and higher socio-economic status compared with peers were more likely to report good self-rated health. Normal weight and physically active respondents along with those reporting a happy life, no depression, and good relationships with families and friends were related to good self-rated health. We also found the effect of socio-economic status on self-rated health was partly explained by lifestyle and psychosocial factors.

Conclusion

The present findings support the notion that both socio-economic status and lifestyle as well as psychosocial factors were related with good self-rated health. The interventions targeting these factors could improve the health status of the population. The depression was the most influential predictor of self-rated health, especially for the women and the elderly. Although lifestyle and psychosocial factors explained partly the the association between socio-economic status and health, the reason why socio-economic difference exists in health must be further explored. What’s more, it needs to be further studied why the same determinant has different influence strengths on the health of different groups of people.
Appendix
Available only for authorised users
Footnotes
1
There were 31 provinces, municipalities, and autonomous regions in mainland China. This survey covered 28 provinces, municipalities, and autonomous regions except Xinjiang, Tibet and Hainan.
 
2
Eastern region included 9 provinces: Beijing, Tianjin, Hebei, Shandong, Jiangsu, Shanghai, Zhejiang, Fujian, Guangdong.
 
3
Middle region included 6 provinces: Shanxi, Henan, Hubei, Hunan, Jiangxi and Anhui.
 
4
Northeast region included 3 provinces: Heilongjiang, Jilin and Liaoning.
 
5
Western region included 10 provinces: Chongqing, Sichuan, Guangxi, Guizhou, Yunnan, Shanxi, Gansu, Neimenggu, Ningxia and Qinghai.
 
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Metadata
Title
Determinants of and socio-economic disparities in self-rated health in China
Authors
Jiaoli Cai
Peter C. Coyte
Hongzhong Zhao
Publication date
01-12-2017
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
International Journal for Equity in Health / Issue 1/2017
Electronic ISSN: 1475-9276
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12939-016-0496-4

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