Self-rated health in Europe and its determinants: Does generation matter?

Aguilar-Palacio, Isabel; Gil-Lacruz, Ana Isabel; Sánchez-Recio, Raquel; Rabanaque, Mª José

doi:10.1007/s00038-018-1079-5

Original Article
Published: 30 January 2018

Self-rated health in Europe and its determinants: Does generation matter?

Isabel Aguilar-Palacio ORCID: orcid.org/0000-0001-7293-701X^1,2,
Ana Isabel Gil-Lacruz³,
Raquel Sánchez-Recio² &
Mª José Rabanaque^1,2

International Journal of Public Health volume 63, pages 223–232 (2018)Cite this article

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Abstract

Objectives

To analyse the influence of micro- and macro-factors on self-rated health, and the role of generation on this relationship.

Methods

Cross-sectional study using data from European Health Interview Surveys from 14 European countries. Individuals were divided into four generations (“silent generation”, “baby boomers”, and “generation X” and “Y”). We conducted multilevel analyses for each generation to study the influence of individual and national explanatory variables on self-rated health.

Results

Age showed an exponential effect in older generations. Education and employment presented the strongest association with low self-rated health, especially in “baby boomers” and women (low education: OR 3.5; 95% CI 3.2–3.9). Tobacco showed a negative effect in younger generations. Overweight and low physical activity were negatively associated with self-rated health regardless of generation. Countries from the Eastern welfare system showed the highest risk of low self-rated health and this association was higher in men for “silent generation” (OR 4.7; 95% CI 3.0–7.6).

Conclusions

The influence of individual and national factors on self-rated health varies regarding generation. The target generation and the demographic structure of a country should be taken into account to develop more accurate health policies.

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Affiliations

Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, Zaragoza University, C/Domingo Miral s/n, 50009, Saragossa, Spain
Isabel Aguilar-Palacio & Mª José Rabanaque
Research Group of Health Services in Aragon (GRISSA), IIS Aragon, C/Domingo Miral s/n, 50009, Saragossa, Spain
Isabel Aguilar-Palacio, Raquel Sánchez-Recio & Mª José Rabanaque
Management and Organization Business Department, School of Engineering and Architecture, Zaragoza University, Gran Vía, 2, 50005, Saragossa, Spain
Ana Isabel Gil-Lacruz

Authors

Isabel Aguilar-Palacio
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Ana Isabel Gil-Lacruz
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Raquel Sánchez-Recio
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Mª José Rabanaque
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Isabel Aguilar-Palacio.

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Aguilar-Palacio, I., Gil-Lacruz, A.I., Sánchez-Recio, R. et al. Self-rated health in Europe and its determinants: Does generation matter?. Int J Public Health 63, 223–232 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00038-018-1079-5

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Received: 14 March 2017
Revised: 10 January 2018
Accepted: 11 January 2018
Published: 30 January 2018
Issue Date: March 2018
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00038-018-1079-5

Keywords

Self-rated health
Generation
Health policy
Health survey
Welfare system