Factors associated with self-rated good general health among persons 18 years and over in the United States: Evidence from the 2012 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS)

Background: Self-rated health status has been found to be an independent predictor of morbidity and mortality. The objective of this study is to identify factors associated with self-rated good general health among persons 18 years and over in the United States.

Methods: Data were analyzed from the 2012 BRFSS survey. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to estimate adjusted odds ratios (AORs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) for factors associated with self-rated good general health. Analyses were conducted using SAS version 9.3.

Results: Of the 475, 687 respondents, 60% were female; 43% were non-Hispanic White; 40% were between 21-30 years; and 30% lived in the South.  Factors associated with lower odds of self-rated good general health included being men (AOR= 0.86; 95% CI=0.85, 0.88); being Hispanic or Latino (AOR= 0.80; 95% CI=0.76, 0.83); being American Indian or Alaska Native (AOR= 0.84; 95% CI=0.78, 0.91); being separated (AOR= 0.57; 95% CI=0.54, 0.60) and being divorced (AOR= 0.75; 95% CI=0.73, 0.78). Results also showed that compared to the Black Belt region (a region of the Southern United States), respondents from the Midwest (AOR=1.30; 95% CI=1.27, 1.33), Northeast, (AOR=1.29; 95% CI=1.26, 1.33), and West (AOR=1.25; 95% CI=1.22, 1.28) had significantly higher odds of self-rated good general health.

Conclusion: Socio-demographic factors and region of residence were significantly associated with self-rated good general health among persons 18 years and over in the United States. Health care providers should include these factors in their routine assessment of the health status for adults.