title: Longitudinal predictors of self-rated health and mortality in older adults.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Few studies have compared the effects of demographic, cognitive, and behavioral factors of health and mortality longitudinally. We examined predictors of self-rated health and mortality at 3 points, each 2 years apart, over 4 years.
  
  
  METHODS
  We used data from the 2006 wave of the Health and Retirement Study and health and mortality indicators from 2006, 2008, and 2010. We analyzed data from 17,930 adults (aged 50-104 y) to examine predictors of self-rated health and data from a subgroup of 1,171 adults who died from 2006 through 2010 to examine predictors of mortality.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Time 1 depression was the strongest predictor of self-rated health at all points, independent of age and education. Education, mild activities, body mass index, delayed word recall, and smoking were all associated with self-rated health at each point and predicted mortality. Delayed word recall mediated the relationships of mild activity with health and mortality. Bidirectional mediation was found for the effects of mild activity and depression on health.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Medical professionals should consider screening for depression and memory difficulties in addition to conducting medical assessments. These assessments could lead to more effective biopsychosocial interventions to help older adults manage risks for mortality.
authors.affiliation: George Mason University, Department of Psychology, 4400 University Dr, MSN 3F5, Fairfax, VA 22030-4422. E-mail: dwagner1@gmu.edu.
authors.forename: Diane C
authors.initials: DC
authors.lastname: Wagner
authors.affiliation: George Mason University, Fairfax, Virginia.
authors.forename: Jerome L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Short
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002908:Chronic Disease / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000401:mortality*; D003863:Depression / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D004522:Educational Status; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D006305:Health Status Indicators; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D011939:Mental Recall; D008875:Middle Aged; D016016:Proportional Hazards Models; D011594:Psychometrics; D012179:Retirement / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D057566:Self Report; D016019:Survival Analysis; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology