Do self-reported health indicators predict mortality? Evidence from Matlab, Bangladesh.
In order to understand current and changing patterns of population health, there is a clear need for high-quality health indicators. The World Health Organization Study on Global AGEing and Adult Health (SAGE) survey platform and the International Network for the Demographic Evaluation of Populations and Their Health in developing countries (INDEPTH) generated data for this study. A total of 4300 people aged 50 years or older were selected randomly from the Matlab Health and Demographic Surveillance System of the International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh. The health indicators derived from these survey data are self-rated general health, overall health state, quality of life and disability levels. The outcome of the study is mortality over a 2-year follow-up since the survey. Among the four health indicators, only self-rated health was significantly associated with subsequent mortality irrespective of sex: those who reported bad health had higher mortality than those who reported good health, even after controlling for socio-demographic factors. For all other three health indicators, such associations exist but are significant only for males, while for females it is significant only for 'quality of life'.
International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research,Bangladesh.
Abdur
A
Razzaque
International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research,Bangladesh.
A H M G
AH
Mustafa
International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research,Bangladesh.
Peter Kim
PK
Streatfield
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging; D001459:Bangladesh; D003710:Demography; D003906:Developing Countries; D006233:Persons with Disabilities; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006305:Health Status Indicators; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009026:Mortality; D011788:Quality of Life; D057566:Self Report; D012737:Sex Factors