Croatian regional differences in health related quality of life in relation to self perceived economic status

While much health research focuses on objective outcome measures, such as morbidity or mortality defined through clinical assessment, there is an increasing emphasis on self-reported measures of health status and health-related quality of life. Their use reflects the importance of considering the people’s point of view and the multidimensional nature of health. Following the recognition of the individual’s own perception as a useful indicator of general health status, self-perceived health has become one of the most significant population health indicators studied today. From a public health perspective, such monitoring aids the identification of population inequalities in health status, potentially reveals unmet needs in the community, and indicates important health-promoting efforts. Numerous studies have shown significant relationship between self-perceived health and objective measures of health (morbidity and mortality). Poorer health is related to higher morbidity and mortality and secondary to lower everyday functionality of those people (population). Since chronic diseases and conditions became part of the everyday life for the large proportion of our population it is considerable to research the subjective quality of life (QoL) of those people. It is known that health is one of the significant factors that influence person’s QoL, and someone’s own perception of satisfaction with life needs to be recognized as valuable indicator of population health (especially mental health).Furthermore, low socio-economic status was correlated with subjective health and has implications on everyday functioning and working productivity of the individuals.In this study the regional differences in health and quality of life was examined in the sample of 9070 adult participants from all region of Croatia. East Croatia region was compared to other regions. Health was measured by SF-36 health status questionnaire covering eight dimensions of health separated in two area of health: Physical functioning, Role limitation due to physical problems, Bodily pain and General health perception which appertains to concept of physical health and dimensions of Social functioning, Role limitation due to emotional problems, Mental health, Energy and Vitality which appertains to concept of mental health. Results have revealed significant regional difference in health with the significantly poorer health in East Croatian region in comparison with other regions. Health status was significantly correlated with self-assessed socio-economic status where is also the worst situation in East region (low level of both health and economic status). Taking in account that self perceived health has influence on person's everyday functioning, work ability and efficacy this results stress the importance of promoting biological, psychological and economical factors of health. Multidisciplinarity is a key approach in achieving this goal.