Socio-economic position and health: what you observe depends on how you measure it

Reference:

Macintyre, S., McKay, L., Der, G. and Hiscock, R., 2003. Socio-economic position and health: what you observe depends on how you measure it. Journal of Public Health, 25 (4), pp. 288-294.

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Official URL:

http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/pubmed/fdg089

Abstract

Background: A number of different socio-economic classifications have been used in relation to health in the United Kingdom. The aim of this study was to compare the predictive power of different socio-economic classifications in relation to a range of health measures. Methods: A postal questionnaire was sent to a random sample of adults in the West of Scotland (sampling from 1997 electoral roll, response rate 50 per cent achieved sample 2,867) Results: Associations between social position and health vary by socio-economic classification, health measure and gender. Limiting long-standing illness is more socially patterned than recent illness; income, Registrar General Social Class, housing tenure and car access are more predictive of health than the new National Statistics Socio Economic Classification; and men show steeper socio-economic gradients than women. Conclusion: Although there is a consistent picture of poorer health among more disadvantaged groups, however measured, in seeking to explain and reduce social inequalities in health we need to take a more differentiated approach that does not assume equivalence among social classifications and health measures.

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