Socioeconomic status and health communication inequalities in Japan: a nationwide cross-sectional survey.
BACKGROUND
Considerable evidence suggests that communication inequality is one potential mechanism linking social determinants, particularly socioeconomic status, and health inequalities. This study aimed to examine how dimensions of health communication outcomes (health information seeking, self-efficacy, exposure, and trust) are patterned by socioeconomic status in Japan.


METHODS
Data of a nationally representative cross-sectional survey of 2,455 people aged 15-75 years in Japan were used for secondary analysis. Measures included socio-demographic characteristics, subjective health, recent health information seeking, self-efficacy in seeking health information, and exposure to and trust in health information from different media.


RESULTS
A total of 1,311 participants completed the questionnaire, giving a response rate of 53.6%. Multivariate logistic regression revealed that education and household income, but not employment, were significantly associated with health information seeking and self-efficacy. Socioeconomic status was not associated with exposure to and trust in health information from mass media, but was significantly associated with health information from healthcare providers and the Internet.


CONCLUSIONS
Health communication outcomes were patterned by socioeconomic status in Japan thus demonstrating the prevalence of health communication inequalities. Providing customized exposure to and enhancing the quality of health information by considering social determinants may contribute to addressing social disparities in health in Japan.
Department of Public Health, Jichi Medical University, Shimotuke-shi, Tochigi, Japan. ishikun@gmail.com
Yoshiki
Y
Ishikawa
Hiromu
H
Nishiuchi
Hana
H
Hayashi
Kasisomayajula
K
Viswanath
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003710:Demography; D005260:Female; D058015:Health Communication; D054625:Healthcare Disparities / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D057226:Information Seeking Behavior; D007564:Japan; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020377:Self Efficacy; D012923:Social Class; D035502:Trust; D055815:Young Adult