Self-rating of poor health: A comparison of cuban elders in havana and miami

Yuri Jang, David A. Chiriboga, Julio R. Herrera, Laurence G. Branch

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

9 Scopus citations

Abstract

This study examined the prevalence of self-reported 'poor health' among Cuban elders in Havana (n∈=∈1,183) and Miami (n∈=∈288) and explored the roles of chronic conditions and functional disability in their self-reports. A logistic regression model of reported poor health was estimated for each group, testing both independent and interactive effects of chronic conditions and functional disability. Despite differences in sociodemographic characteristics and disease/disability profiles between Cuban elders in the two cities, an equal proportion of each group (13%) reported poor health. Financial strain and functional disability were common predictors of self-reported poor health across the groups. Gender and chronic conditions were significant only in the Havana sample, among whom the likelihood of reporting poor health increased with female gender and the presence of chronic conditions. In the Havana sample, not only did chronic conditions have an independent effect, but also its interaction with functional disability was significant. The overall results suggest a particular role of chronic conditions in determining subjective health among elders in Havana. Findings are discussed in a sociocultural context.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)181-191
Number of pages11
JournalJournal of Cross-Cultural Gerontology
Volume24
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - Jun 2009

Bibliographical note

Funding Information:
Acknowledgments The Survey of Older Floridians (SOF) was supported by the Administration on Aging Research Grant (# 90AM2750). Dr. Jennifer Salmon is PI, and Dr. David A. Chiriboga is co-PI. Correspondence concerning this paper should be addressed to Yuri Jang, Ph.D., Department of Aging and Mental Health, Florida Mental Health Institute, University of South Florida, 13301 Bruce B. Downs Blvd., MHC 1400, Tampa, Florida 33612. Electronic mail may be sent to [email protected].

Keywords

  • Cuban elders
  • Self-rated Health

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