Feeling Better? Trends in General Health Status

摘要: Objectives. We addressed three questions: Have recent improvements in old-age disability been mirrored changes self-reported general health status? Are status trends similar for younger and older Americans? uniform across demographic socioeconomic groups? Methods. Using logistic regression, we analyzed data from the 1982–2003 National Health Interview Surveys (n ¼ 1,445,872 aged 18–69; n 178,384 70 older). Results. The proportion of people reporting declined at 1.38% per year poor/fair 1.85% year. There was less a decline reports ages. Trends 18–69 population showed widening disparities by income but narrowing race/ ethnicity education gaps. In population, there no change those 80–84 85 older, gap persisted, both differentials widened over time. Discussion. Declines proportions among decades mirror declines disability. Although has not experienced such progress, its prevalence is low throughout 21-year analysis period. Of concern are growing populations.