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Racial differences in self-rated health diminishing from 1972 to 2008

Abstract  

In addition to higher morbidity and mortality, Black adults have reported lower self-rated health than White adults. The purpose
of this study was to evaluate the diminishing difference in self-rated health between races from 1972 to 2008. Data from 37,936
participants over a 36-year span of the General Social Survey were used to evaluate the effects of race and time on self-rated
health. Results confirmed that Black adults reported significantly worse health than White adults. Overall health was rated
slightly better across both groups as time went on (

^
b
 

 = .002, P < .0005). However, this increase in health ratings has slowed, even reversing with a decline in health ratings as of late
(

^
b
 

 = −.014, P = .001). Significant interactions between race and time indicated that the racial difference on this self-rated health measure
has changed over time. The rate of change in the difference has slowed over time (

^
b
 

 = −.010, P = .021), suggesting that the reduction in the racial difference in self-rated health may be decelerating.

  • Content Type Journal Article
  • Pages 1-7
  • DOI 10.1007/s10865-011-9396-7
  • Authors
    • Andrew J. Sarkin, Health Services Research Center, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, San Diego, CA 92093-0994, USA
    • Erik J. Groessl, Health Services Research Center, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, San Diego, CA 92093-0994, USA
    • Brendan Mulligan, Health Services Research Center, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, San Diego, CA 92093-0994, USA
    • Marisa Sklar, Health Services Research Center, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, San Diego, CA 92093-0994, USA
    • Robert M. Kaplan, Health Services Research Center, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, San Diego, CA 92093-0994, USA
    • Theodore G. Ganiats, Health Services Research Center, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, San Diego, CA 92093-0994, USA