Research article summary (published 21 Oct 2007):

Housing assets and the socio-economic determinants of health and disability in old age.

Full Abstract

The influence of socio-economic determinants among the elderly is a complex subject. Although they rely on pension income, the wealth that they have accumulated over their lifetime (primarily housing assets), jointly with housing-related determinants, could have a more significant effect on health production. Hence, owning a house has more potential than income for reducing health inequalities. This study makes use of a representative cross-sectional database on the Spanish population aged 55 or over. Using a continuous variable to measure health and a measure of disabilities in old age, the study explores some socio-economic determinants of health and disability and provides a breakdown of inequalities in socio-economic status and in aggregate individual health. The study's findings indicate that housing equity overrides the effect of income as a determinant of health and (absence of) disability in old age. Furthermore, housing assets account for more than 90% of socio-economic inequalities and 54% of inequalities in disability.

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Author information

Author/s: Costa-Font, Joan (J);

Affiliation: LSE Health & European Institute, London School of Economics and Political Science, London, UK. j.costa-font(-atsign-)lse.ac.uk

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

Journal: Health & place (Health Place), published in England. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2008-Sep; vol 14 (issue 3) : pp 478-91

Dates: Created 2008/04/03; Completed 2008/06/25;

PMID: 17959411, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 11/6/2008)

Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.

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MeSH headings (categories)

This article was linked to the MESH Headings shown below.

Activities of Daily Living Aged Aged, 80 and over Cross-Sectional Studies Databases, Factual Female Geriatric Assessment - methods

Health Status Disparities Housing for the Elderly - economics Humans Male Middle Aged Social Class Spain

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