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First published on January 11, 2008, doi:10.1177/0898264307310449
Journal of Aging and Health 2008;20:143.
A more recent version of this article appeared on March 1, 2008
Self-Rated Health : Changes, Trajectories, and Their Antecedents Among African Americans
Fredric D. Wolinsky, PhD1*,
Thomas R. Miller, MBA2,
Theodore K. Malmstrom, PhD3,
J. Philip Miller, AB4,
Mario Schootman, PhD5,
Elena M. Andresen, PhD6,
and
Douglas K. Miller, MD7
1 Iowa City VA Health Care System, University of Iowa
2 Department of Health Policiy and Management, Providence College
3 Saint Louis University, School of Medicine
4 Washington University School of Medicine, Division of Biostatistics
5 Washington University in St. Louis
6 University of Florida Health Sciences Center
7 Indiana University, Regenstrief Institute, Inc.
* To whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail: fredric-wolinsky{at}uiowa.edu.
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Abstract |
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Objective: Little is known about changes in self-rated health (SRH) among African Americans. Method: We examined SRH changes and trajectories among 998 African Americans 49 to 65 years old who we reinterviewed annually for 4 years, using multinomial logistic regression and mixed effect models. Results: Fifty-five percent had the same SRH at baseline and 4 years later, 25% improved, and 20% declined. Over time, men were more likely to report lower SRH levels, individuals with hypertension were less likely to report lower SRH levels, and those with congestive heart failure at baseline were more likely to report higher SRH levels. Lower SRH trajectory intercepts were observed for those with lower socioeconomic status, poorer health habits, disease history, and worse functional status. Those with better cognitive status had higher SRH trajectory intercepts. Discussion: The decline in SRH levels among 49- to 65-year-old African Americans is comparable to that of Whites.

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