Department of Medical and Health Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden.
Scand J Public Health. 2010 Aug;38(6):605-10. doi: 10.1177/1403494810374676. Epub 2010 Jul 1.
Educational level is a strong determinant of perceived health, and also an important component in the socioeconomic concept. The aim of this study was to analyze a number of social conditions and lifestyle factors that might explain differences in self-reported health between the populations in two different social environments, one white-collar city and one blue-collar city. These ''twin cities'' are served by the same healthcare organisation, but differ in terms of social history and current social structure.
The material consisted of responses to a community-based survey of individuals aged between 20 and 64 years, with an overall response rate of 49%. Differences in self-reported health status were tested with chi-square tests and regression analysis.
We found significant differences in perceived health between the two populations. These differences in self-reported health could not be explained by differences in demographic factors, lifestyles, or living conditions. However, when the educational level of the respondents was taken into account, the differences in perceived health diminished.
Public health in local communities tends to reflect the social history and social heritage of the population. In this study, we found that educational level appears to be a vital factor for good perceived health of the individual in a community.
教育水平是健康感知的重要决定因素，也是社会经济概念的重要组成部分。本研究旨在分析一些社会条件和生活方式因素，这些因素可能解释了两个不同社会环境（一个白领城市和一个蓝领城市）人群之间自我报告健康状况的差异。这两个“孪生城市”由同一家医疗保健机构提供服务，但在社会历史和当前社会结构方面存在差异。
本研究的资料来源于一项针对 20 至 64 岁人群的社区基础调查，总体应答率为 49%。通过卡方检验和回归分析检验自我报告健康状况的差异。
我们发现两个群体的健康感知存在显著差异。这些自我报告健康状况的差异不能用人口统计学因素、生活方式或生活条件的差异来解释。然而，当考虑到受访者的教育水平时，感知健康的差异就会减小。
地方社区的公共卫生状况往往反映了人群的社会历史和社会遗产。在本研究中，我们发现教育水平似乎是社区中个人良好健康感知的重要因素。
