Self-Assessments of Health and Mortality among Older Persons: Do Questions Other than Global Self-Rated Health Predict Mortality?

Although several studies show an association between self-rated health and mortality among older persons, most have used only a single question to assess self-rated health. The present research used the 1984-1990 Longitudinal Study of Aging to examine whether self-ratings other than the traditional, National Health Interview Survey-type global self-assessment make independent contributions to predicting mortality. Four health assessments were selected in addition to the global rating (Activity Compared to Age Peers, Control over Future Health, Taking Care of One's Health, and Worry Due to Health in the past year). All rive self-assessments, along with a composite measure, had bivariate associations with higher mortality as ratings became less favorable. However, only Activity Compared to Peers retained an association with mortality even with Global Self-Rated Health in the model. Subjective assessments based on peer comparison may be important additions to research in this area.