Estimating mechanisms linking relative income to self-rated health by multilevel modeling: the moderating role of healthcare access and quality index
Abstract Income-health gradients vary in societies with diverse cultures and healthcare access levels, and generalized trust in unknown resources of health services may play a crucial role in these gradients. Multilevel models using a sample of 152,501 respondents from 89 societies are conducted to...
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| Main Authors: | , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
BMC
2025-05-01
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| Series: | BMC Public Health |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-025-22783-4 |
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| Summary: | Abstract Income-health gradients vary in societies with diverse cultures and healthcare access levels, and generalized trust in unknown resources of health services may play a crucial role in these gradients. Multilevel models using a sample of 152,501 respondents from 89 societies are conducted to investigate the mediation effect of generalized trust in the correlation between relative income and self-rated health globally, and the moderating role of healthcare access in the association between relative income and self-rated health. Results show that individuals’ relative income significantly and positively predicts their generalized trust, which in turn significantly and positively predicts their self-rated health. In countries and regions with higher levels of healthcare access and quality, a higher level of relative income is positively correlated with increased self-rated health. This study theoretically contributes to the literature on income-health relationships by capturing medical resource access and individual characteristics. Specific policy recommendations include fostering generalized trust, improving healthcare education, and expanding telemedicine. |
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| ISSN: | 1471-2458 |