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The Association Between Self-reported Income and Perceived Health Based on the Ontario Longitudinal Study of Aging

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  29 November 2010

John P. Hirdes ,
K. Stephen Brown ,
William F. Forbes ,
Debby S. Vigoda  and
Lawrence Crawford
John P. Hirdes
Affiliation:
University of Waterloo
K. Stephen Brown
Affiliation:
University of Waterloo
William F. Forbes
Affiliation:
University of Waterloo
Debby S. Vigoda
Affiliation:
Consultants
Lawrence Crawford
Affiliation:
Consultants
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Abstract

An analysis of the data from the Ontario longitudinal study of aging was carried out to investigate the associations between self-reported income and perceived health status, using cross-tabulations and logistic regression models. Reported income, educational level, and smoking status were associated with perceived health status. Reported income was associated with perceived health status independently of the effects of education and smoking. The data also indicate that changes in income are related significantly to changes in perceived health status. A reduced income was associated with a worsening of health and a weak relationship was apparent between increased income and better health. The analyses further suggest that income changes precede health changes. The possible mechanisms through which an income change may lead to health changes are discussed.

Résumé

Une analyse du Ontario Longitudinal Study on Aging (Etude longitudinale sur le vieillissement en Ontario) a été effectuée en vue d'examiner par la méthode des classifications croisées et de la régression logistique le rapport entre le revenu déclaré et la perception de l'état de santé. Le revenu déclaré, le degré d'instruction et l'usage du tabac sont associés à la perception de l'état de santé. L'association entre le revenu déclaré et la perception de l'état de santé est indépendante de l'incidence de l'instruction et du tabac. Les données indiquent l'existence d'une relation significative entre la variation du revenu et la perception de l'état de santé. La diminution du revenu est associée à une aggravation de l'état de santé, et il existe une relation faible entre l'augmentation du revenu et l'amélioration de la santé. Les analyses effectuées permettent également de croire que les variations de revenu précèdent les changements dans l'état de santé. Des considérations sur les mécanismes susceptibles d'expliquer le lien entre la variation du revenu et les changements survenant dans l'état de santé terminent l'étude.

Keywords

longitudinal analysisself-reported incomeperceived health
Type
Articles
Information
Canadian Journal on Aging / La Revue canadienne du vieillissement , Volume 5 , Issue 3 , Autumn/L'automne 1986 , pp. 189 - 204
Copyright
Copyright © Canadian Association on Gerontology 1986

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