Social differences in health: life-cycle effects between ages 23 and 33 in the 1958 British birth cohort.

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to determine whether social differences in health persist or widen during early adulthood. METHODS: A longitudinal follow-up of the 1958 British birth cohort was investigated, using social class at birth and six health measures at ages 23 and 33. A slope of inequality was estimated to represent social differences in health. RESULTS: Social gradients in health were evident by age 23: the prevalence of poor health increased with decreasing social position. This was observed for several but not all health indicators. Social gradients persisted to age 33. The slope of inequality was greatest for malaise (odds ratio [OR] = 3.37 for men, 3.21 for women) and obesity (OR = 4.80 for men and 2.84 for women), both at age 23, and for self-rated health in women at age 23 (OR = 2.94) and age 33 (OR = 3.22). Inequality increased significantly between ages 23 and 33 for limiting illness in men, and lessened, although not significantly, for malaise, overweight, and obesity; social gradients remained constant for self-rated health, respiratory symptoms, and asthma or wheezing. CONCLUSIONS: Social gradients in health evident in this sample by age 23 persisted to age 33. Inequalities did not appear to widen consistently, but variable findings for several health measures suggest that inequalities reproduce through different pathways.

Social Class Inequalities in Self-rated Health and Their Gender and Age Group Differences in Japan

“…[13][14][15][16][17] Social inequalities in self-rated health are also well documented; people from lower social classes rate their health poorer compared to those from higher social classes. [18][19][20][21] In terms of gender differences in social inequalities of self-rated health, several previously conducted studies have shown that the magnitudes of social class inequalities in self-rated health differ between males and females, with shallower or more inconsistent gradients found among females than males. [20][21][22] However, some studies show that males and females have a similar pattern of social inequality in self-rated health.…”

Measuring socioeconomic status/position in studies of racial/ethnic disparities: Maternal and infant health

“…A considerable body of empirical literature also indicates that the associations between SES and health outcomes can vary with both the socioeconomic measure and the health indicator being examined. [9][10][11][12][13][14] Parker et al used data from the nationally representative 1988 National Maternal and Infant Health Survey to look at SES measures in relation to three maternal and child health outcomes: low birthweight, small-for-gestational-age, and preterm birth. 14 They found that among both "black" and "white" postpartum women, family poverty status, maternal education, paternal education, maternal occupation, and paternal occupation were generally not highly correlated.…”

Cluster randomised controlled trial and economic and process evaluation to determine the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of a novel intervention [Healthy Lifestyles Programme (HeLP)] to prevent obesity in school children

“…The model starts with a cohort of children distributed by weight status per the UK90 growth reference standards 51 using clinical assessment classifications (≤ 91st centile; > 91st to ≤ 95th centile; > 95th to ≤ 98th centile; and > 98th centile), and predicts the expected distribution of the cohort by weight status in adulthood. Data from the UK longitudinal study reported by Power et al, 76 which followed up participants from age 7 to age 33 years [see detail in Model development (stage 1): predicting adult weight status from child weight status], are used to predict adult weight status. Based on data reported by Power et al,…”

“…A total of eight studies were identified. 75,76,[80][81][82][83][84][85] Of these, four 75,76,80,85 presented data projecting weight status from childhood into adulthood and included classifications by weight status (healthy weight, overweight), and were therefore selected for consideration to populate the model. The remaining four studies were excluded, either because they provided no usable data 81,82,84 or because the data were for a child age range that was inappropriate for the current research.…”

“…83 The study characteristics for the included studies are presented in Table 27, and a summary description is provided below. 76 followed up a cohort of children who were born in Britain in March 1958 (the 1958 UK birth cohort). In this longitudinal study, height and weight measurements were taken at various points between the ages of 7 and 33 years.…”