Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

Abstract #108089

Martey Dodoo, PhD, Robert Graham Center, 1350 Connecticut Ave., NW, Suite 201, Washington, DC 20036, (202)331-3360, mdodoo@aafp.org

The objective was to test for the extent of differential reporting of similar levels of health among sub-groups of the U.S. population in two widely used health surveys. The health surveys are the National Health Interview Survey (NHIS), and the Community Tracking Survey (CTS).

We assessed differential self-reporting of health status (SAH) in the NHIS and CTS using tests that distinguish between both cut-point shift and index shift. We compared between sub-groups by conditioning on other survey questions which are more objective indicators of health. The sub-groups included gender, ethnic origin, age-groups, and marital status.

We found that given similar diagnosed health conditions, males and females, married and divorced respondents do not report similar levels of health status. Female NHIS respondents, seem to rate their health levels lower than males. Divorced, widowed or separated respondents seem to rate their health levels lower than married or never married respondents. Age and ethnic origin on the other hand did not show differential reporting of SAH.

Clearly, differential health status reporting exists in both the NHIS and the CTS. This presents a potential problem for the validity of health equality measurements and health level comparisons. Assessing health status from national surveys must be done using questions other than those that elicit self-reports of health.

Learning Objectives:

• At the conclusion of the session, the participant will be able to test for the extent of differential reporting of similar levels of health among sub-groups of the population in any health surveys.

Keywords: Survey, Health Indices

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

I wish to disclose that I have NO financial interests or other relationship with the manufactures of commercial products, suppliers of commercial services or commercial supporters.

Recorded presentation