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Data from the longitudinal West of Scotland Twenty-07 STUDY: Health in the Community was used to examine whether, over a 20 year period, the self-reported health of people living in deprived areas became poorer faster compared to those living in more affluent areas. Three cohorts (born in the early 1930s, 1950s and 1970s) are included, covering 60 years of the life span. Using multilevel growth curve models, a 40% probability of reporting poor health was predicted among residents of more deprived areas at an earlier age (66) compared to those living in more affluent areas (83). Wider area differences were seen for men than for women. Our findings indicate that attempts to reduce area differences in health should start young but also continue throughout the lifespan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A number of studies have shown that lone parents have poorer health status than the general population. However, what is missing from the existing literature is any systematic assessment of the contribution that lone parents' relatively poor socioeconomic circumstances make to their relative health disadvantage. This paper aims to fill this gap. It employs a large national dataset based on three consecutive years of the British General Household Survey (1992/1993 to 1994/1995) to assess the relative health status of lone parents in comparison to couple parents, and to evaluate the importance of different explanations for their health differences. The results confirm that lone parents, particularly lone mothers, have poor health status relative to parents living as couples. The observed health differences mirror variations in socioeconomic circumstances. However, even when a wide range of demographic and socioeconomic circumstances are included in multivariate models, lone mothers still have significantly poorer health than couple mothers for four out of five health variables. The paper concludes by discussing alternative explanations for the health differences between lone and couple parents--such as the absence of an intimate/confiding relationship, the stress and stigma associated with becoming a lone parent and health selection--and by highlighting future options for policy and research in this area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Previous studies have shown that making multiple residential moves in childhood leads to an increased risk of emotional and behavioural problems in early adulthood and to poorer self-reported health in midlife. Such studies tend to focus on one or two health variables, measured at one time point. This study examines health status in early adulthood and midlife across a wider range of measures. Aim To compare subjects who were residentially stable in childhood with those who had moved more often in terms of a wide range of health measurements at 18 and 36. Methods Analysis of the 1970s cohort of the West of Scotland Twenty-07 Study. In total, 850 respondents who participated in waves 1 (1987/88), 2 (1990/92) and 5 (2007/8) of the study, and whose childhood residential history was available, were included in regression analyses. Residential stability was derived from the number of addresses at which the respondent had lived between birth and age 15 and 18. We considered directly measured health variables (BMI, waist-hip ratio and lung function), self-reported health, psychological wellbeing (GHQ12) and self-reported health behaviours (smoking, drinking and trying drugs). Results Twenty percent of respondents remained residentially stable during childhood, 59% had moved 1-2 times and 21% had moved at least 3 times. Directly measured health variables were not associated with number of residential moves made at 18 or 36. Odds of scoring at least 3 on the GHQ12 questionnaire were significantly increased at age 18 for those moving 1-2 times (OR 2.01 (1.36–2.96)) and those moving 3 times or more (OR 2.04 (1.3, 3.22)) compared to those who remained stable. Similarly, odds of reporting a long-standing illness at 18 were increased for 1-2 moves (OR 1.88 (1.11, 3.18)) and at least 3 moves (OR=2.03 (1.11, 3.69)). Odds were elevated, but not significant, at 36 for these health variables. Odds of trying drugs and smoking at 18 were significantly increased but only for those moving at least 3 times. Although elevated, odds for these health behaviours were not significant at 36. Conclusions Increased mobility during childhood is independently associated with adverse health status. At 18, the relationships between residential mobility and self-reported health outcomes, psychological wellbeing and some health behaviours were significant; however, by 36 findings were no longer significant. Directly measured health variables, at 18 and 36, do not appear to be associated with childhood mobility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]