Self-rated health and socio-economic status among older adults in Northern Iceland

• Published in: International Journal of Circumpolar Health
• Main Authors: Sigurdardottir, Arun K., Kristofersson, Gisli, Gustafsdottir, Sonja Stelly, Sigurðsson, Stefán B, Arnadottir, Solveig A, Steingrimsson, Jon, Gunnarsdottir, Elin
• Other Authors: Læknadeild (HÍ), Faculty of Medicine (UI), Heilbrigðisvísindasvið (HA), School of Health Sciences (UA), Hug- og félagsvísindasvið (HA), School of Humanities and Social Sciences (UA), Heilbrigðisvísindasvið (HÍ), School of Health Sciences (UI), Háskóli Íslands, University of Iceland, Háskólinn á Akureyri, University of Akureyri
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Informa UK Limited 2019
• Subjects: Arctic areas; Community dwelling; Older people; Rural health; Dreifbýli; Heilsufar; Aldraðir; Akureyri; Arctic; Circumpolar Health; Iceland; International Journal of Circumpolar Health; Háskólinn á Akureyri
• Online Access: https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11815/1885; https://doi.org/10.1080/22423982.2019.1697476

Publisher's version (útgefin grein) Little is known about self-rated health (SRH) of older people living in more remote and Arctic areas. Iceland is a high-income country with one of the lowest rates of income inequality in the world, which may influence SRH. The research aim was to study factors affecting SRH, in such a population living in Northern Iceland. Stratified random sample according to the place of residency, age and gender was used and data collected via face-to-face interviews. Inclusion criteria included community-dwelling adults ≥65 years of age. Response rate was 57.9% (N = 175), average age 74.2 (sd 6.3) years, range 65–92 years and 57% were men. The average number of diagnosed diseases was 1.5 (sd 1.3) and prescribed medications 3.0 (sd 1.7). SRH ranged from 5 (excellent) to 1 (bad), with an average of 3.26 (sd 1.0) and no difference between the place of residency. Lower SRH was independently explained by depressed mood (OR = 0.88, 95% CI = 0.80–0.96), higher body mass index (OR = 0.93, 95% CI = 0.87–0.99), number of prescribed medications (OR = 0.88, 95% CI = 0.78–1.00) and perception of inadequate income (OR = 0.45, 95% CI = 0.21–0.98). The results highlight the importance of physical and mental health promotion for general health and for ageing in place and significance of economic factors as predictors of SRH. This work was supported by the Háskólinn á Akureyri [R-1803]; Icelandic Regional Development Institute (Byggðastofnun) [102022]. Peer Reviewed