Validating self-rated health in different ethnic groups

Background. Subjective accounts of health status are increasingly utilized in social surveys and medical research to assess functioning and well-being . Despite the fact that substantial research evidence suggests that self-ra ted health is meaningful and provides valid and reliable data, some authors have raised concerns that different social groups may interpret the notion of health in different ways, and hence complete health measures in systema tically different ways. This study evaluates the validity of using self-rat ed health status to measure health status in different ethnic groups. Methods. Logistic regression models were used to examine the association of self-rated health with more objective measures of morbidity in different e thnic groups. Sample. Two sources of data were used-the Health Survey for England (HSE) 1 991-96 combined file and the Fourth National Survey of Ethnic Minorities (E thmins4). Measures of health. Hypertension, presence of cardiovascular disease or dia betes, limiting health and number of visits to a doctor. Self-rated health was measured on 5-point scale ranging from excellent to very poor. Results. Poorer self-rated health was associated with greater morbidity wit hin each ethnic group. Furthermore, there was little evidence that the asso ciation of self-rated health with more objective measures of morbidity diff ered between ethnic groups. Conclusion. The evidence reported here suggests that the use of a single it em measure of self-rated health to measure health status in different ethni c groups is valid. Further research might usefully explore the validity of using more comprehensive profile measures of health status in different eth nic groups.