Social inequalities in self-reported morbidity: interpretation and comparison of data from Britain and France

Abstract

This paper considers the results from national surveys of self-reported morbidity in Britain and France and discusses the implications for our understanding of social class differences in the propensity to report illness. The methods adopted in these surveys in the two countries are so different that any comparison of the results must be limited. However, evidence on the trends over time in illness reporting in both countries reinforces the impression that the survey methodology has a significant impact on the results in terms of social class inequalities. The discussion also considers some other possible explanations for apparent changes in the propensity to report illness. It is concluded that in both countries the national survey data on class differences in self-reported morbidity has limitations and might be improved in the light of developments in survey methodology and the cross-fertilisation of ideas through international comparative studies of the subject.