Country variation in sex differences in self-assessed health: Evidence from the Survey of Health and Retirement in Europe (SHARE)

Abstract:  The Survey of Health, Ageing, and Retirement in Europe (SHARE) is a multi-national, longitudinal survey of non-institutionalized populations aged 50 years and older.  We used data from the baseline wave (conducted in 2004 with a total sample size of roughly 29,000) to identify the important determinants of self-assessed health among older adults; determine the degree to which these factors account for gender differences in reported health; and assess the heterogeneity in reported health across national populations in Europe. Our analysis involves sequential examination of blocks of factors contributing to health scores. These factors include relevant demographic characteristics, diseases and conditions, physical functioning, symptoms, and cognitive and affective assessments. Results for all countries combined show similar patterns of major contributors to self-assessed health ratings. For women, however, an arthritis-related measure of mobility was a greater contributor to health scores, while co-morbidity was more important among men. Additional models assess how all of these factors contribute to the health status gap overall and in each of the 11 participating countries.