Socioeconomic status and the prevalence of health problems among married couples in late midlife.

TitleSocioeconomic status and the prevalence of health problems among married couples in late midlife.
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2001
AuthorsWilson, SE
JournalAm J Public Health
Volume91
Issue1
Pagination131-5
Date Published2001 Jan
ISSN Number0090-0036
Call Numberpubs_2001_Wilson_SAJPH.pdf
KeywordsActivities of Daily Living, Cohort Studies, Female, Health Status, Humans, Male, Marital Status, Middle Aged, Odds Ratio, Risk Factors, Socioeconomic factors, Spouses, United States
Abstract

OBJECTIVES: This study analyzed the association between socioeconomic status (SES) and the prevalence of mutually occurring health problems among married couples in late midlife.

METHODS: Data consisted of 4746 married couples aged 51 to 61 years from the 1992 US Health and Retirement Study. Two health measures were used: (1) self-assessed health status and (2) an index of functional limitations and activity restrictions. SES indicators were household income, education, and insurance coverage.

RESULTS: In general, after adjustment for age cohort, a strong association was found between the health of a married individual and the health of his or her spouse. SES was highly associated with the joint occurrence of health problems among marriage partners.

CONCLUSIONS: Public health policy should pay particular attention to the interaction between health, SES, and interpersonal relationships.
DOI10.2105/ajph.91.1.131
User Guide Notes

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11189807?dopt=Abstract
Endnote Keywords

Cohort Studies/Gender/Health Status/Marital Status/Middle Age/Odds Ratio/Risk Factors/Socioeconomic Status/Spouses/Support, Non U.S. Government/Support, U.S. Government--PHS
Endnote ID

4345
Alternate JournalAm J Public Health
Citation Key6746
PubMed ID11189807
PubMed Central IDPMC1446505
Grant ListAG10120 / AG / NIA NIH HHS / United States