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. 2017 Sep 26;14(10):1127.
doi: 10.3390/ijerph14101127.

Socioeconomic Inequalities in Health and Perceived Unmet Needs for Healthcare among the Elderly in Germany

Jens Hoebel  1 , Alexander Rommel  2 , Sara Lena Schröder  3 , Judith Fuchs  4 , Enno Nowossadeck  5 , Thomas Lampert  6
Affiliations

Socioeconomic Inequalities in Health and Perceived Unmet Needs for Healthcare among the Elderly in Germany

Jens Hoebel et al. Int J Environ Res Public Health. .

Abstract

Research into health inequalities in the elderly population of Germany is relatively scarce. This study examines socioeconomic inequalities in health and perceived unmet needs for healthcare and explores the dynamics of health inequalities with age among elderly people in Germany. Data were derived from the Robert Koch Institute's cross-sectional German Health Update study. The sample was restricted to participants aged 50-85 years (n = 11,811). Socioeconomic status (SES) was measured based on education, (former) occupation, and income. Odds ratios and prevalence differences were estimated using logistic regression and linear probability models, respectively. Our results show that self-reported health problems were more prevalent among men and women with lower SES. The extent of SES-related health inequalities decreased at older ages, predominantly among men. Although the prevalence of perceived unmet needs for healthcare was low overall, low SES was associated with higher perceptions of unmet needs in both sexes and for several kinds of health services. In conclusion, socioeconomic inequalities in health exist in a late working age and early retirement but may narrow at older ages, particularly among men. Socially disadvantaged elderly people perceive greater barriers to accessing healthcare services than those who are better off.

Keywords: access to health services; health disparities; health inequalities; healthy ageing; social determinants; socioeconomic position; unmet needs.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Model-adjusted prevalence with 95% confidence intervals (CI) of less-than-good self-rated health (a), global activity limitations (b), walking limitations (c), and low back complaints (d), by socioeconomic status (SES) and age, adjusted for residential region, urban/rural, and immigrant status.
Figure 1
Figure 1
Model-adjusted prevalence with 95% confidence intervals (CI) of less-than-good self-rated health (a), global activity limitations (b), walking limitations (c), and low back complaints (d), by socioeconomic status (SES) and age, adjusted for residential region, urban/rural, and immigrant status.
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