Health perceptions and survival: do global evaluations of health status really predict mortality?
Article Abstract:
Self-evaluations of health have been found to be strong predictors of mortality in at least five recent studies. It is not known why a single question such as: "At the present time, how would you rate your health?," is often a better predictor of future survival than detailed assessments of health problems and disabilities. In the present study, data for 2,812 subjects from a prospective study of the health of the elderly (including four-year follow-up data) were examined. Among the data, which provided sociodemographic, health, and historical information, were answers to a single question that asked respondents: "How would you rate your health at the present time?" Possible answers were excellent, good, fair, poor, and bad. Controlling for the influence of various health problems, disability, and risk factors for the development of disease or disability, answers to the self-evaluation question were highly correlated with subjects' status at follow-up. For example, rating current health as good, as opposed to excellent, was correlated with a 3.2 times greater chance of dying within the four-year follow-up period for men, and a 2.4 times greater chance of dying during the period for women. Those rating their health as poor were six times more likely to die than those rating their health as excellent. Again, it is important to note that these results controlled for objective health status such as disability, disease, or presence of risk factors. This suggests that there is an independent effect at play that has yet to be identified that makes self-evaluation of health a strong predictor of mortality several years into the future. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)
Publication Name: Journals of Gerontology
Subject: Seniors
ISSN: 0022-1422
Year: 1991
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Asking for trouble: social research
Article Abstract:
A social research technique proposes to rely on gossip and the replies of friends to better determine the percentages of people engaged in certain activities. The technique attempts to rely on the number of people a person knows to make predictions about behaviors and statistics.
Publication Name: The Economist (UK)
Subject: Business, international
ISSN: 0013-0613
Year: 1997
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Wofford, Harris
Article Abstract:
Senator Harris Wofford's poll victory astounded his opponent, former Pennsylvania Governor Richard L. Thornburgh. Thornburgh thought he would win the elections because of Pres George Bush's open support for his candidacy.
Publication Name: Current Biography
Subject: History
ISSN: 0011-3344
Year: 1992
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