Trends in socioeconomic inequalities in self-assessed health in 10 European countries

Abstract

The results underscore the persistent nature of socioeconomic inequalities in health in modern societies. The relatively favourable trends in the Nordic countries suggest that these countries' welfare states were able to buffer many of the adverse effects of economic crises on the health of disadvantaged groups.

Subjective financial well-being, income and health inequalities in mid and later life in Britain

“…Self- health', as in previous studies (Kunst et al, 2005;Mackenbach et al, 2002Mackenbach et al, , 2007.…”

Welfare state regimes and differences in self-perceived health in Europe: A multilevel analysis

“…At this level, social inequalities in health have mainly been approached by means of occupational class (Kunst & Mackenbach, 1994;Kunst et al, 2005), educational attainment (Cavelaars et al, 1998b;Silventoinen & Lahelma, 2002) and income (Adler et al, 1994;Cavelaars et al, 1998a;Fritzell, Nermo, & Lundberg, 2004;Marmot, 2002;Subramanian & Kawach, 2006a;Subramanian & Kawachi, 2004;Wagstaff & van Doorslaer, 2000), all regarded as indicators of socioeconomic status (SES). We have also seen that social network (social contacts with one or several persons) and social support (quality of social interactions) appear to make individuals feel healthier, live longer, feel better and cope with difficulties due to chronic diseases and acute difficulties (Berkman, 1985;House, Landis, & Umberson, 1988;Pinquart & Sorensen, 2000;Wilkinson, 1999aWilkinson, , 1999b.…”

Socioeconomic Status and Health

“…Comparison with the DEGS1 results makes it clear that health inequality could have spread further in the last 14 years and remained more or less constant for no activity in sports. Comparisons made with other countries in Europe also come to the conclusion that health inequality has not declined in the last 10-20 years and that even greater socioeconomic differences in peoples' health status and health behaviour are to be assumed in several areas [41,42].…”