Socioeconomic Influences on Women?s Self-Rated Health Status in Japan

Abstract

Introduction: Epidemiological studies have amply documented the association between socioeconomic status (SES) and health, and have highlighted a gender gap in self-rated health status. However, few studies have investigated the health status of women in Japan. Therefore, using nationally representative data, we aimed to examine the association between SES and self-rated health in women in Japan. Methods: We used data from the Comprehensive Survey of the Living Condition of People conducted by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare in 2010. From the original database, we drew a sample aged from 20 to 59 years old (n=26,468) and measured variables related to household, income/savings, medication, and self-rated health. Data were analyzed using a multivariate logistic regression model. Results: The highest prevalence of self-rated poor health was found in both unemployed women and men (15.7% and 23.2%, respectively). The regression model indicated that unemployed women aged over 40 years (and especially aged between 40 and 44 years) were more likely to report poor health (adjusted odds ratio (95% confidence interval): 2.48 (1.28-4.82), p<0.01) and having never married (1.82 (1.36-2.42), p<0.001). Conclusion: The findings indicate that unemployed women are more likely to report poor health than employed women and that age over 40 and marital status could predict self-rated poor health. We recommend promoting community-based and workplace-based preventive health services. In younger women, it is recommended that work opportunities are promoted along with an appropriate social welfare regimen to improve health among women in Japan.