Trends in Socioeconomic and Racial/Ethnic Inequalities in Self-Assessed Health, Disability, and Mental Health in California: Findings from CHIS 2001–2011

Abstract

Despite growing interest in health inequalities across socioeconomic and racial/ethnic groups, research remains scarce on the subject for California. The purpose of this study is to assess magnitude and trends in socioeconomic and race/ethnicity inequalities in self-assessed health, disability, and psychological distress. This study used the population-representative sample aged 45 and older (n = 181,964) in 2001–2011 California Health Interview Survey (CHIS). Based on poverty as socioeconomic position and race/ethnicity as nominal social group, health inequalities and the trend over time were examined by estimating population-weighted measures on both absolute and relative terms. The most economically disadvantaged Californians showed the highest rates of poor self-assessed health, disability, and serious psychological distress for the entire study period. Socioeconomic health inequalities have widened in poor self-assessed health over time for women, while the inequalities appeared to narrow for disability and psychological distress for both men and women. Race/ethnicity inequalities in disability widened considerably for men and women, while those of psychological distress declined from 2005 to 2011. Socioeconomic and race/ethnicity health inequalities are present and persistent in California. Trends in health inequalities appear to reflect potential impact of recent financial crisis and legislative changes in California. Consistent measurement and monitoring of health inequalities are needed to develop socioeconomic and health policies that address health inequalities in California.