[Subjective assessment of self health and subjective morbidity in Germany. Results of a representative demographic survey].

This study presents selected results from the poll of a representative cross-section of the German population during the Spring of 1996 was subjective data on health and illness investigated, inter alia. The majority of the questioned subjects stated good health with low impairment of their general condition by their general conditions by their health. Compared with data from 1975, people have the impression that their health is in a better state, but, on the other hand, more significantly inparied by their health. East Germans claim a somewhat lower state of health and more impairment than West Germans; the same results were found for women in comparison with men and elderly persons compared with younger subjects. There is no difference between East and West Germans with respect the frequency of disease, but there were more illnesses with a clear morphological correlation reported by East-Germans. West Germans report more functional infirmities or troubles. One of the most striking results was the high frequency of cardiovascular disorders in East Germany. The influence of social support and social status on the subjective assessment of one's own health and subjective morbidity is of only low importance.