Race, socioeconomic status, and health: a study of age differences in a depressed area.
According to the findings of a health survey conducted among 906 young, middle-aged, and elderly residents of an economically depressed area of Alameda County, California, health status is more strongly associated with income than with race, particularly among middle-aged residents. Although income is also significantly associated with health among both young and elderly residents, it is of little substantive importance. These findings support previous research showing that a measure of income difference (less than $6,500 a year), even among residents of a depressed area, can be sufficiently sensitive to identify a group in poor health. More important, the relationship between low income and poor health is most pronounced among middle-aged residents, indicating that the public health needs of these people deserve special attention.
Satariano
W A
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Division of Epidemiology, Michigan Cancer Foundation, Detroit 48201.
D000328:Adult; D001741:Black or African American; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D002140:California; D005006:Ethnicity; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012737:Sex Factors; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D044465:White People