An econometric analysis of self-assessed health: what does it mean and what is it hiding?

N. Au and David Johnston
Authors registered in the RePEc Author Service: Nicole Black

Health, Econometrics and Data Group (HEDG) Working Papers from HEDG, c/o Department of Economics, University of York

Abstract: Self-assessed general health (SAH) is the most frequently employed health measure in economics research; however, it is poorly understood. In this paper we answer two questions: (i) what components of health does SAH measure? and (ii) does the use of SAH conceal important health effects? To answer the first question, we use a detailed health instrument and linear, logit and dynamic fixed-effects models to estimate the drivers of SAH. To answer the second question, we estimate the effects of income on disaggregated health measures using instrumental-variables fixed-effects models. We find that some health components – especially vitality – are very important to an individual when they assess their health, while others are inconsequential. We also find that this fact is partially responsible for why econometrically-sound studies find weak socioeconomic gradients in SAH. Regression results show that the effects of income on SAH are near-zero, even though income strongly affects several health components.

Keywords: General Health; Self-Assessed; Instrumental Variables; Panel Data (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I19 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2013-11
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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