Educational level is a crucial factor for good perceived health in the local community.
OBJECTIVE
Educational level is a strong determinant of perceived health, and also an important component in the socioeconomic concept. The aim of this study was to analyze a number of social conditions and lifestyle factors that might explain differences in self-reported health between the populations in two different social environments, one white-collar city and one blue-collar city. These ''twin cities'' are served by the same healthcare organisation, but differ in terms of social history and current social structure.


METHODS
The material consisted of responses to a community-based survey of individuals aged between 20 and 64 years, with an overall response rate of 49%. Differences in self-reported health status were tested with chi-square tests and regression analysis.


RESULTS
We found significant differences in perceived health between the two populations. These differences in self-reported health could not be explained by differences in demographic factors, lifestyles, or living conditions. However, when the educational level of the respondents was taken into account, the differences in perceived health diminished.


CONCLUSIONS
Public health in local communities tends to reflect the social history and social heritage of the population. In this study, we found that educational level appears to be a vital factor for good perceived health of the individual in a community.
Faresjö
Tomas
T
Department of Medical and Health Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden. Tomas.Faresjo@liu.se
Rahmqvist
Mikael
M
D000328:Adult; D004522:Educational Status; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011634:Public Health; D012649:Self Concept; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013548:Sweden / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000208:ethnology; D014504:Urban Health; D055815:Young Adult