title: Inequalities in perceived health in the Russian Federation, 1994-2012.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Individual characteristics and socioeconomic strata (SES) are important determinants of health differences. We examine health inequalities in Russia and estimate the association of demography (gender and age) and SES (working status, income, geography of residence, living standard, wealth possession, and durable asset-holding) with perceived health over the period 1994-2012.
  
  
  METHODS
  This study uses nationally representative datasets from the Russian Longitudinal Monitoring Survey (RLMS: 1994-2012). We apply a random effect GLS model to examine the association of individual characteristics and individual heterogeneity in explaining self-perceived health status. In addition, we estimate a regression-based concentration index, which we decompose into the determinants of health inequalities.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The self-perceived health differences between the better-off and the worse-off is reduced over the 18 year period (1994 - 2012). The individual variances in self-perceived health status are higher compared to the variances between the individuals over the period. The measure of health inequality index (concentration index) indicates a change for better health for the better-off Russians. Being employed matters in perceiving a better health status for the Russians in 2012.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Self-perceived health differences in the Russian Federation has changed over time. Such differences in changes are attributable to both changes in the distribution of the determinants of health as well as changes in the association between the determinants of health with the self-perceived health status. Though this study identifies the determinants of health inequalities for the Russians, the future research is to examine the in-country distribution of these determinants that produce health differences within the Russian Federation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Health and Social Management, Faculty of Social Sciences and Business Studies, University of Eastern Finland, P.O. Box 1627, 70211, Kuopio, Finland. pavitra.paul@uef.fi.
authors.forename: Pavitra
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Paul
authors.affiliation: Department of Health and Social Management, Faculty of Social Sciences and Business Studies, University of Eastern Finland, P.O. Box 1627, 70211, Kuopio, Finland.
authors.forename: Hannu
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Valtonen
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D054624:Health Status Disparities; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012426:Russia / Q000453:epidemiology; D012649:Self Concept; D012737:Sex Factors; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors