Mortality and self-rated health in Canada.
BACKGROUND
This study investigates the degree to which the relationship between self-rated health and mortality is consistent across income groups in Canada and whether it can be explained by differentials in physical activity.


METHODS
A sample of 17,852 adults in the 1981 Canada Fitness Survey was followed for 13 years for mortality.


RESULTS
After adjusting for several confounders, there was a dose-response relationship between self-rated health and all-cause, CVD, and cancer mortality. This relationship persisted across levels of income. Physical activity was inversely related to mortality; however, the risk of mortality associated with low self-rated health did not differ significantly between activity groups.


CONCLUSIONS
Physical activity does not appear to be a significant mediating or moderating factor in the relationship between self-rated health and mortality.
Mason
Caitlin
C
School of Physical and Health Education, Queen's University, Kingston, ON.
Katzmarzyk
Peter T
PT
Craig
Cora L
CL
Gauvin
Lise
L
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002170:Canada; D002648:Child; D019992:Databases as Topic; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D007182:Income; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009026:Mortality / Q000639:trends*; D010465:Perception; D010809:Physical Fitness; D012306:Risk; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires