title: Self-rating of poor health: a comparison of Cuban elders in Havana and Miami.
abstract: This study examined the prevalence of self-reported 'poor health' among Cuban elders in Havana (n = 1,183) and Miami (n = 288) and explored the roles of chronic conditions and functional disability in their self-reports. A logistic regression model of reported poor health was estimated for each group, testing both independent and interactive effects of chronic conditions and functional disability. Despite differences in sociodemographic characteristics and disease/disability profiles between Cuban elders in the two cities, an equal proportion of each group (13%) reported poor health. Financial strain and functional disability were common predictors of self-reported poor health across the groups. Gender and chronic conditions were significant only in the Havana sample, among whom the likelihood of reporting poor health increased with female gender and the presence of chronic conditions. In the Havana sample, not only did chronic conditions have an independent effect, but also its interaction with functional disability was significant. The overall results suggest a particular role of chronic conditions in determining subjective health among elders in Havana. Findings are discussed in a sociocultural context.
authors.affiliation: Department of Aging and Mental Health, Florida Mental Health Institute, University of South Florida, 13301 Bruce B. Downs Blvd., MHC 1400, Tampa, FL 33612, USA. yjang@fmhi.usf.edu
authors.forename: Yuri
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Jang
authors.forename: David A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Chiriboga
authors.forename: Julio R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Herrera
authors.forename: Laurence G
authors.initials: LG
authors.lastname: Branch
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002908:Chronic Disease / Q000453:epidemiology; D003462:Cuba / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000208:ethnology; D006233:Persons with Disabilities; D005260:Female; D005431:Florida / Q000453:epidemiology; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires