Introduction: Recent studies have found a relationship between income and health. However, less is known about the changes of this relationship over time. Finland experienced an economic recession in the early 1990s. This study aims to investigate (1) whether the shape of the relationship between income and health is similar in 1986 and 1994 in Finland, and (2) whether the relationship can be explained in a similar way by employment status, education and occupational class in 1986 and 1994.
Methods: Nationally representative interview surveys on 25-64 year-old men and women in 1986 and 1994 were used. The health indicators used were limiting long-standing illness and self-perceived health as below good. Net equivalent household income was used as income measure.
Results: Among both men and women and for both study years low household income was related to poor health. The relationship between income and health was a linear one with no signs of a threshold effect. This relationship was somewhat stronger among men than among women. In both 1986 and 1994 health inequalities by household income were clear - although attenuated - when employment status, education and social class were adjusted for.
Conclusions: The relationship between health and net equivalent household income was strikingly similar in 1986 and 1994 in Finland regardless of a serious economic recession in the early 1990s.
Learning Objectives: At the conlcusion of this session, the participants will be eable to understand the assocation between income and health more carefully and discuss on the relationship
Keywords: Social Inequalities, Social Class
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.