Income or living standard and health in Germany: different ways of measurement of relative poverty with regard to self-rated health

Abstract

Our results challenge conventional measurements of the relationship between poverty and health that probably has been underestimated by income measures so far.

Widening inequalities in self-rated health by material deprivation? A trend analysis between 2001 and 2011 in Germany

“…Unlike income, the standard of living measures periods of persistent income poverty and socioeconomic deprivation 59–61. A certain standard of living requires longer periods of financial investments, while the loss of standard of living requires longer periods of financial shortages 17 59 61 62. In addition, several factors, such as property ownership, age, education, employment and marital status, further contribute to individual's living standard 59 61.…”

“…Recent research found that the standard of living is a robust social determinant of individual health 6 13–19. For example, Pfoertner et al 17 found in data from the German Socio-Economic Panel (GSOEP) that differences in material standard of living resulted in larger inequalities in self-rated health (SRH) than differences in income, education or occupational status. Other studies found similar results and suggest that the lack of a minimum level of living standard involves long periods of financial shortages 14 16.…”

“…For example, Whelan et al 20 found in 10 European countries a positive association between material deprivation and the duration of income poverty. Therefore, the standard of living may have a larger impact on health than other indicators of socioeconomic status 17. Furthermore, the living standard approach more often measures goods and activities of forced savings (eg, not replacing worn out furniture, saving money for emergencies) and constraints on socially perceived needs (eg, eating a hot meal with meat, inviting friends for dinner), which contribute to individual health via material, psychosocial and behavioural pathways 16…”

Income level and drug related harm among people who use injection drugs in a Canadian setting

“…Basic needs such as food, shelter and sanitation are frequently unmet (Pfoertner, 2011), all of which increase IDU’ susceptibility to poor health. In the present study, levels of unstable housing were high with more than 50% of the participants in the high income category reporting unstable housing.…”

“…For example, having a higher income enables better nutrition, exercise, housing, health care, and recreation (Marmot, 2002). Conversely, poverty has a strong deleterious effect on health and is associated with a cornucopia of unhealthy behaviours (Laaksonen et al, 2003; Pfoertner et al, 2011). In particular, low income has been observed to be significantly associated with the consumption of unhealthy goods, such as tobacco, alcohol and illicit drugs (Cerda et al, 2011; Jefferis et al, 2007; Redonnet et al, 2012).…”