Access to Health Care and Self-Rated Health Among Community-Dwelling Older Adults

Objective: This study examined the relationship between access to health care and self-rated health among community-dwelling persons aged 65 years and older. Data Source: The analyses were based on a sample of 2,982 participants from the Duke Established Populations for Epidemiologic Studies of the Elderly. Study Design: This study was a secondary data analysis using longitudinal data collected in 1987 and again in 1990. Logistic regression was used to determine change to poor self-rated health from excellent, good, or fair self-rated health. Principal Finding: In a multivariate model, one of the seven access to health care indicators was found to be significantly related to reporting poor self-rated health. Controlling for demographics and other potential confounders, the odds of reporting poor self-rated health were approximately 87% higher among those without private health coverage.