Bakgrund: Befolkningens hälsoutveckling följs ofta genom enkätundersökningar. Dessa har ofta med en generell fråga om självskattad hälsa, vilket har visat sig ha samband med såväl fysiska som psykiska faktorer. För enkätundersökningar riktade till ungdomar används ofta en fråga om självskattat mående. Det är dock inte empiriskt klarlagt vad självskattat mående hos ungdomar egentligen mäter. Syfte: Studien syftar till att undersöka i vilken utsträckning självskattat mående hos ungdomar mäter hälsorelaterad livskvalitet, där både positiva och negativa aspekter av hälsa ingår, positiv hälsa i form av positiv psykisk hälsa, psykisk ohälsa i form av symptom på depression/ångest, fysisk ohälsa gällande symptom på smärta/värk samt medicinska tillstånd i form av astma, födoämnesallergi, allergi, migrän och öronsus/tinnitus. Metod: En kvantitativ metod med tvärsnittsdesign användes med data från enkätundersökningen Liv och Hälsa Ung 2014, där 4047 elever från årskurs nio på högstadiet och årskurs två på gymnasiet i Västmanland inkluderades. Korrelationsanalyser genomfördes. Resultat: Självskattat mående mäter hälsorelaterad livskvalitet, positiv psykisk hälsa och psykisk ohälsa i måttlig utsträckning, smärta/värk i liten utsträckning och medicinska tillstånd i mycket liten utsträckning.  Slutsats: Självskattat mående mäter psykiska faktorer mer än fysiska faktorer. Självskattat mående mäter även hälsorelaterad livskvalitet i måttlig utsträckning, vilket motsvarar ett helhetsperspektiv på hälsa. Självskattat mående bland ungdomar är inte en adekvat indikator för fysisk ohälsa vilket bör tas i beaktande när denna fråga tolkas i befolkningsundersökningar. / Background: The health development of the population is often followed by questionnaires. These often include a general question of self rated health, which has been shown to be associated with both physical and mental factors. For questionnaires aimed at adolescents, a genereal question of self rated well-being is often used. However, it is not empirically clear what that question really measure. Aim: This study aims at investigating to which extent self rated well-being among adolescents measures health related quality of life, including both positive and negative aspects of health, positive health in terms of positive mental health, mental health in terms of symptoms of depression/anxiety, physical health complaints and medical conditions. Method: A quantitative method with a cross-sectional design was used with data from ”Survey of Adolescent Life in Vestmanland” (SALVe), 2014, which included 4047 students in grade 9 in elementary school and grade 2 in high school in Västmanland. Correlation analysis were used. Results: Self rated well-being is measuring health related quality of life, positive mental health and mental health to a moderate extent, physical complaints to a small extent and medical conditions to a very small extent. Conclusion: Self rated well-being measures mental factors more than physical factors. Self rated well-being also measures health-related quality of life to a moderate extent, which corresponds with a holistic perspective of health. Self rated well-being among adolescents is not an adequate indicator of physical complaints and medical conditions, which should be taken into consideration when the result of the question is interpreted in population surveys.

A população mundial vem envelhecendo, diante dessa premissa a Organização Mundial de Saúde (OMS), bem como, o Ministério da Saúde (MS) do Brasil, vem buscando adaptar-se a esta realidade através de políticas públicas capazes de promover o envelhecimento ativo e da atenção à saúde adaptada às necessidades da população idosa. A OMS propôs a adequação da Atenção Primária à Saúde (APS) às necessidades dos idosos. O Brasil, por sua vez, segue as orientações da OMS, dentro da linha de cuidado voltada para a saúde dos idosos, na Estratégia de Saúde da Família e dentro da Política de Atenção à Saúde da Pessoa Idosa. No entanto, ainda não há evidências quanto à avaliação da adequação destas políticas e de sua relação com a forma como os idosos percebem sua saúde geral e bucal. Desta forma, esta pesquisa teve como objetivo verificar a extensão do cuidado em saúde que é acessado por idosos moradores de dois distritos de Porto Alegre/RS, em relação ao preconizado para efetividade da Atenção Primária à Saúde, e realizar um censo das unidades de saúde de APS dos mesmos distritos a fim de estabelecer uma relação entre os dados empíricos levantados e: i) Políticas de Saúde relacionadas com a Atenção Primária à Saúde voltadas às necessidades das pessoas idosas, ii) autoavaliação de saúde geral e iii) percepção de saúde bucal. A metodologia do estudo contou com um estudo teórico realizado através de um levantamento de documentos, um estudo epidemiológico de base populacional de delineamento transversal e um censo de unidades de saúde. Os resultados deste estudo apontam para uma realidade distinta entre o que as Políticas voltadas para os idosos preconizam e o que é oferecido para os idosos. Foram observadas limitações em relação ao acesso, longitudinalidade, integralidade e qualidade do cuidado. Além disso, foi possível observar que em relação à autoavaliação de saúde os resultados mostraram associações entre a avaliação positiva da saúde e fatores psicossociais (sintomatologia depressiva), características pessoais (nº de morbidades) e ambientais (orientação do serviço para a APS). Já em relação à percepção de saúde bucal, os resultados apontaram associação com determinantes primários (satisfação com último atendimento odontológico, resiliência e renda suficiente para as necessidades da família), comportamentos em saúde (hábito tabágico) e condições de saúde bucal (número de dentes e presença de restos radiculares). A conclusão que se chegou a partir de tais resultados é que há uma necessidade premente de ampliação do acesso e qualificação do cuidado para que a Atenção Primária disponibilizada para os idosos que vivem nos distritos Lomba do Pinheiro e Partenon em Porto Alegre possa ser realmente considerada adequada às necessidades dos idosos. Além disso, é necessário que se leve em consideração o papel da Atenção Primária a saúde na avaliação da sua própria saúde e na percepção de saúde bucal por parte de idosos. / The world population is aging. In response to those trends the World Health Organization (WHO), as well as the Brazilian Ministry of Health (MH), are aiming at tackling such matters through public policies that promote active aging through health care adapted to the needs of the elderly population. The WHO has proposed an Age-friendly Primary Health Care (PHC) that lies in accordance with the needs of the elderly. In Brazil, the WHO guidelines are followed within older people care provision, in the Family Health Strategy, and within the National Health Policy for the Elderly Person. However, there is still no evidence concerning the assessment of adequacy of these policies and its association with how older people perceive their general and oral health. Thus, this study aimed to verify the extension towards primary health care provided by health services accessed by older persons living in two sanitary districts of Porto Alegre/RS in relation with the recommendation in terms of effectiveness of primary health care. In addition, a census of the primary health care services of the two sanitary districts was carried out forming, along with the epidemiological survey, the basis of the empirical data that allowed establish a relationship with: i) Health Policies related to Primary Health Care and targeting on the needs of older persons, ii) self-rated health and iii) self-perceived oral health. The methodology included: theoretical study made by a documental research, a cross-sectional population-based epidemiological study and a health PHC services census. The results of this study show a distinct reality between what policies targeting older persons recommend and what is actually provided, limitations in terms of access, longitudinally, comprehensiveness and quality of care were observed. Furthermore, it was observed that positive self-rated health was associated with psychosocial factors (depressive symptomatology), personal characteristics (number of morbidities) and environmental characteristics (orientation towards PHC Attributes). Self-perceived oral health was associated with primary determinants of health (satisfaction with prior dental appointment, resilience and income that was enough to meet family needs), 17 health behaviors (smoking habit) and oral health status (number of teeth and of root remnants). Concluding, there is an urgent need to increase access and to qualify care so that Primary Health Care services made available for older people, at least for those who live in the Lomba do Pinheiro and Partenon sanitary districts of Porto Alegre/RS, reach its goals of providing adequate and resolutive care that is adequate to the needs of the elderly. Furthermore, it is necessary to take into account the role of Primary Health Care on the rate of health and perception of oral health by the elderly. Still, advances in relation to equity and quality of care in respect to primary health care professionals continued education attainment were observed.

A população mundial vem envelhecendo, diante dessa premissa a Organização Mundial de Saúde (OMS), bem como, o Ministério da Saúde (MS) do Brasil, vem buscando adaptar-se a esta realidade através de políticas públicas capazes de promover o envelhecimento ativo e da atenção à saúde adaptada às necessidades da população idosa. A OMS propôs a adequação da Atenção Primária à Saúde (APS) às necessidades dos idosos. O Brasil, por sua vez, segue as orientações da OMS, dentro da linha de cuidado voltada para a saúde dos idosos, na Estratégia de Saúde da Família e dentro da Política de Atenção à Saúde da Pessoa Idosa. No entanto, ainda não há evidências quanto à avaliação da adequação destas políticas e de sua relação com a forma como os idosos percebem sua saúde geral e bucal. Desta forma, esta pesquisa teve como objetivo verificar a extensão do cuidado em saúde que é acessado por idosos moradores de dois distritos de Porto Alegre/RS, em relação ao preconizado para efetividade da Atenção Primária à Saúde, e realizar um censo das unidades de saúde de APS dos mesmos distritos a fim de estabelecer uma relação entre os dados empíricos levantados e: i) Políticas de Saúde relacionadas com a Atenção Primária à Saúde voltadas às necessidades das pessoas idosas, ii) autoavaliação de saúde geral e iii) percepção de saúde bucal. A metodologia do estudo contou com um estudo teórico realizado através de um levantamento de documentos, um estudo epidemiológico de base populacional de delineamento transversal e um censo de unidades de saúde. Os resultados deste estudo apontam para uma realidade distinta entre o que as Políticas voltadas para os idosos preconizam e o que é oferecido para os idosos. Foram observadas limitações em relação ao acesso, longitudinalidade, integralidade e qualidade do cuidado. Além disso, foi possível observar que em relação à autoavaliação de saúde os resultados mostraram associações entre a avaliação positiva da saúde e fatores psicossociais (sintomatologia depressiva), características pessoais (nº de morbidades) e ambientais (orientação do serviço para a APS). Já em relação à percepção de saúde bucal, os resultados apontaram associação com determinantes primários (satisfação com último atendimento odontológico, resiliência e renda suficiente para as necessidades da família), comportamentos em saúde (hábito tabágico) e condições de saúde bucal (número de dentes e presença de restos radiculares). A conclusão que se chegou a partir de tais resultados é que há uma necessidade premente de ampliação do acesso e qualificação do cuidado para que a Atenção Primária disponibilizada para os idosos que vivem nos distritos Lomba do Pinheiro e Partenon em Porto Alegre possa ser realmente considerada adequada às necessidades dos idosos. Além disso, é necessário que se leve em consideração o papel da Atenção Primária a saúde na avaliação da sua própria saúde e na percepção de saúde bucal por parte de idosos. / The world population is aging. In response to those trends the World Health Organization (WHO), as well as the Brazilian Ministry of Health (MH), are aiming at tackling such matters through public policies that promote active aging through health care adapted to the needs of the elderly population. The WHO has proposed an Age-friendly Primary Health Care (PHC) that lies in accordance with the needs of the elderly. In Brazil, the WHO guidelines are followed within older people care provision, in the Family Health Strategy, and within the National Health Policy for the Elderly Person. However, there is still no evidence concerning the assessment of adequacy of these policies and its association with how older people perceive their general and oral health. Thus, this study aimed to verify the extension towards primary health care provided by health services accessed by older persons living in two sanitary districts of Porto Alegre/RS in relation with the recommendation in terms of effectiveness of primary health care. In addition, a census of the primary health care services of the two sanitary districts was carried out forming, along with the epidemiological survey, the basis of the empirical data that allowed establish a relationship with: i) Health Policies related to Primary Health Care and targeting on the needs of older persons, ii) self-rated health and iii) self-perceived oral health. The methodology included: theoretical study made by a documental research, a cross-sectional population-based epidemiological study and a health PHC services census. The results of this study show a distinct reality between what policies targeting older persons recommend and what is actually provided, limitations in terms of access, longitudinally, comprehensiveness and quality of care were observed. Furthermore, it was observed that positive self-rated health was associated with psychosocial factors (depressive symptomatology), personal characteristics (number of morbidities) and environmental characteristics (orientation towards PHC Attributes). Self-perceived oral health was associated with primary determinants of health (satisfaction with prior dental appointment, resilience and income that was enough to meet family needs), 17 health behaviors (smoking habit) and oral health status (number of teeth and of root remnants). Concluding, there is an urgent need to increase access and to qualify care so that Primary Health Care services made available for older people, at least for those who live in the Lomba do Pinheiro and Partenon sanitary districts of Porto Alegre/RS, reach its goals of providing adequate and resolutive care that is adequate to the needs of the elderly. Furthermore, it is necessary to take into account the role of Primary Health Care on the rate of health and perception of oral health by the elderly. Still, advances in relation to equity and quality of care in respect to primary health care professionals continued education attainment were observed.

Introduction : Une majorité de Canadiens adopte un mode de vie sédentaire qui est un facteur de risque important pour différents problèmes de santé. Dernièrement, des interventions en santé publique ciblent le transport actif pour augmenter la pratique d’activité physique. Objectif : L’objectif de cette étude est de quantifier la direction et la taille de l’association entre l’état de santé rapporté par des adultes montréalais et leur utilisation de la marche et du vélo utilitaires. Méthode : L’échantillon comprend 4503 résidents de l’Île de Montréal, âgés de 18 ans et plus, ayant répondu à un sondage téléphonique sur la pratique de l’activité physique et du transport actif. Des analyses de régression logistique multiples ont été appliquées pour examiner l’association entre l’état de santé auto-rapporté et la pratique du vélo (N=4386) et entre l’état de santé auto-rapporté et la pratique de la marche utilitaire (N=4350). Résultats : Les gens ayant une santé perçue comme bonne et moyenne/mauvaise ont une probabilité plus faible de pratiquer la marche utilitaire (OR = 0,740; p < 0,05 et OR = 0,552; p < 0,01) que ceux rapportant une excellente santé, alors que cette association n’est pas significative pour la pratique du vélo utilitaire dans notre étude. Conclusion : Bien que les résultats obtenus ne soient pas tous statistiquement significatifs, la probabilité d’utiliser le transport actif semble plus faible chez les adultes indiquant un moins bon état de santé par rapport aux adultes indiquant que leur état de santé est excellent. / Background: A majority of Canadians are physically inactive and have a sedentary lifestyle, which is an important risk factor for a variety of diseases. Recently, public health interventions have focused on active transport as means of increasing the level of activity in the population. Objective: This study’s aim is to quantify the direction and size of the association between self-rated health and active transport practices, i.e. utilitarian cycling and walking, among adult Montrealers. Methods: Data on physical activity and utilitarian practices were collected from 4503 adult residents of the Island of Montreal (≥ 18 years old), from one of two telephone surveys conducted in the spring and in the fall of 2009. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to examine associations between self-rated health and utilitarian cycling (N=4386) and walking (N=4350). Results: Reporting a good and a fair/bad self-rated health was associated with a lower likelihood of practicing utilitarian walking (OR = 0,740; p < 0,05 and OR = 0,552; p < 0,01) than reporting an excellent health, but no significant association was found between self-rated health and utilitarian cycling in our study. Conclusions: Even though all results were not statistically significant, active transport practices appear to be less likely among persons reporting a poorer health in comparison to those reporting excellent health.

Background: More students state that they are exposed to bullying and the mental illness among adolescents increases. Previous research states that there is a connection between bullying and reduced well-being, where social factors have been emphasized as risk and protective factors for both bullying and well-being. However, it is not well studied which social factors who has the biggest impact on well-being based on positive and negative aspects. Social capital was used as a theoretical frame to explain the social factors’ influence on adolescent’s well-being. Aim: The aim of the study was to study bullying and which social factors who has the biggest impact on well-being among adolescents in the County Council of Västmanland. Method: Based on the Survey of Adolescent Life in Västmanland 2012, a quantitative approach was applied with a cross-sectional design. A total of 4226 students from 9th grade of compulsory school and the 2nd year of upper secondary school in the County Council of Västmanland were included. Descriptive analyzes and multiple linear regression analyzes were performed. Results: Positive influences showed greater variety in well-being and future optimism than negative influences. Negative experiences had a greater influence than positive experiences while physical, verbal and psychological bullying had a low influence. Conclusion: A majority of students had not experienced any form of bullying where physical bullying was least common while mental bullying was most common. Students’ well-being was highly rated, boys rated their well-being as better than girls. School well-being and negative experiences had the greatest influence in well-being and future optimism.

No description available.

While the healthy immigrant effect (HIE) has been seen throughout the western world in the adult population; research on the older population shows an inverse relationship between self-reported health and immigration status – i.e., in many instances, a health disadvantage for older immigrants. Explanations for this vary from a lack of selection into population, among older immigrants, to a duration effect; such that perceived health advantages seen in early life dissipate upon reaching older age. While these are the widely accepted reasons for the disappearance of the HIE among older people, not all mitigating factors have been examined in detail. This study aims to identify if there is an association between retirement and the healthy immigrant effect seen in Europe. It uses SHARE data for 27 European countries to examine self reported health (SRH) outcomes &amp; presence of longterm illness’ (LTI) for population groups aged 55-74. The findings indicate the presence of a greater health disadvantage for retired immigrants (versus native-born retirees) as compared with those who are not retired. Additionally, better health outcomes (compared to native-born individuals) were seen for immigrants who retired late (after the age of 65) versus those who retired early. Retirement due to poor health was examined as an explanation for these findings, but it did not appear to affect the results, suggesting the observed patterns are most likely caused by an alternative factor relating to retirement. Further research is recommended to identify these factors.

Opportunities to be and remain healthy are unequally distributed across socioeconomic groups and emerge and widen throughout childhood and adolescence. This thesis seeks to answer if social relationships are one of the mechanisms that operate in the association between socioeconomic status (SES) and health among Swedish adolescents, using the Health Behavior in School-Aged Children (HBSC) survey round 2009/10. It also aims to clarify which aspect of social relationships – its structure or function - matters more for health. Network structure includes its size and frequency of contact, and network function refers to resources received from those in the network, such as social support. The research questions guiding the thesis are: (1) Is higher socioeconomic status associated with higher self-rated health and wellbeing among Swedish adolescents? (2) Does the structure and the function of the child’s social relationships mediate in the associations in question 1? (3) Which aspect of social relationships (structure or function) mediates the associations in question 1 to the largest extent? Research questions are addressed by a mediation analysis using regression models to explore which indicators of social relationships mediate the associations between SES and health and wellbeing. Results showed a positive association between SES and health and wellbeing, and mainly three significant mediators were found which indicated that children with higher SES receive higher social support from their parents and peers and have a larger network which in turn lead to better health and wellbeing. Finally, results indicated that it is the function of social relationships rather than the structure that mediates to the largest extent.

There is concern about the indoor environment in aircraft but few stud-ies exist on self-rated health (SRH) and respiratory symptoms among pilots. Occupational and non-occupational risk factors for SRH, respira-tory symptoms and other symptoms among commercial pilots were investigated in this thesis. One cohort study and one prevalence study were performed among pilots in one Scandinavian airline company. Fungal DNA, furry pet allergens and volatile organic compounds of microbial origin (MVOC) were measured on board. Cat (fel d1), dog (Can f1) and horse (Ecu cx) allergens were found in all dust samples and allergen levels were 27-75 times higher in aircraft with textile seats as compared to leather surfaces. The sum of MVOCs in the cabin air was 3.7 times higher than in homes in Uppsala and 2-methyl-1-butanol and 3-methyl-1-butanol concentrations were 15-17 times higher. Asper-gillus/Penicillium DNA and Aspergillus versicolor DNA were more common in aircraft with textile seats. One fifth reported SRH as poor or fair, 62% had fatigue, 46% overweight/obesity and 71% insomnia. Poor or fair SRH was associated with overweight/obesity, lack of exercise, insomnia, low sense of coherence (SOC) and high work demand. Re-covery from work was worse among those with insomnia and low social support at work. Fatigue was more common among young or female pilots and related to insomnia and high work demand. Pilots flying MD80 or Saab 2000 aircraft had less fatigue. Pilots exposed to environmental tobacco (ETS) on board had more eye symptoms and fatigue which were reduced after the ban of smoking (in 1997). Pilots with increased work demand developed more rhinitis, dermal symptoms and fartigue and those with decreased work control developed more eye symptoms. The incidence of doctors’ diagnosed asthma and atopy were 2.4 and 16.6 per 1000 person years, respectively. Pilots changing type of flight got more airway infections. Those reporting decreased work control had a higher incidence of atopy. Risk factors in the home environment included ETS, dampness or mould, window pane condensation in winter and living in houses built after 1975. In conclusion, SRH and respiratory health among pilots are associated with specific occupational and non-occupational risk factors.

Bien que la relation entre l’état de santé perçu et les mesures de santé physique et mentale soit bien documentée dans les pays développés, très peu d’études ont examiné cette association dans le monde en développement, particulièrement en Afrique subsaharienne. De même, les études menées dans divers contextes sociaux ont documenté que les femmes et les personnes de plus faible statut socioéconomique (SSÉ) sont les plus susceptibles de porter un lourd fardeau des incapacités et de la mauvaise santé perçue, mais il n’est pas connu si ces associations existent aussi dans les pays africains. L'objectif général de cette recherche doctorale était d’aboutir à une meilleure compréhension de la stratification sociale de la santé en Afrique subsaharienne. Plus spécifiquement, cette étude visait à: 1) Examiner les associations entre la santé perçue et les mesures de santé physique et mentale (maladies chroniques, incapacités et dépression) parmi les adultes à Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, et évaluer comment ces associations varient selon le sexe, le niveau d’éducation et l'âge; 2) Analyser les différences en matière d’incapacité cognitive et physique entre les hommes et les femmes âgés de 50 ans et plus à Ouagadougou et évaluer la mesure dans laquelle les différences observées pourraient être attribuables aux inégalités de genre en matière de conditions sociales et de santé à travers le cycle de vie; 3) Examiner la relation entre le SSÉ et une multitude de mesures d’incapacités parmi les adultes âgés de 18 ans et plus dans 18 pays d’Afrique subsaharienne et déterminer si les différences socioéconomiques dans les incapacités sont caractérisées par une divergence, convergence ou stabilité à travers l’âge. Les résultats de nos analyses sont présentés sous forme de trois articles scientifiques, qui se sont appuyés sur les données de l'Enquête santé réalisée en 2010 dans l'Observatoire de Population de Ouagadougou (OPO) et de la World Health Survey réalisée en 2002-2004 par l’OMS. Dans le premier article, nous avons trouvé que la mauvaise santé perçue était fortement associée aux maladies chroniques et aux incapacités, mais pas à la dépression. L’effet des incapacités sur la mauvaise santé perçue s’intensifiait avec l’âge et avec la diminution du niveau d’éducation. Par contre, l’effet des maladies chroniques semblait diminuer avec l’âge. Aucune variation selon le sexe n’était observée dans les associations de la santé perçue avec les maladies chroniques, les incapacités et la dépression. Ces résultats suggèrent que les différentes sous-populations définies selon le niveau d'éducation et l'âge pondèrent différemment les composantes de santé dans la santé perçue à Ouagadougou. Les résultats du second article indiquaient que le genre féminin était positivement associé à des niveaux plus élevés de détérioration cognitive et de mobilité réduite. L'excès des femmes dans ces incapacités était seulement partiellement expliqué par les inégalités de genre dans l’état nutritionnel, le statut matrimonial et, dans une moindre mesure, l'éducation. Ces résultats suggèrent que l’amélioration de l'état nutritionnel et des opportunités d'éducation à travers le cycle de vie pourrait prévenir la détérioration cognitive et la mobilité réduite et réduire partiellement l'excès féminin dans ces incapacités. Dans le troisième article, nous avons montré que le manque d'éducation était positivement associé à des niveaux plus élevés d'incapacités, et le différentiel d’état de santé fonctionnel entre les différents niveaux d'éducation restait stable à travers l'âge. Ces résultats suggèrent qu’en Afrique subsaharienne, comparativement aux individus hautement éduqués, les personnes faiblement éduquées ont moins de ressources économiques et sociales et de saines habitudes de vie qui ont des effets bénéfiques, constants sur la santé fonctionnelle selon l’âge. / Although the relationship between self-rated health (SRH) and physical and mental health is well documented in developed countries, very few studies have analyzed this association in the developing world, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa. Furthermore, research in various social contexts has documented that disability and poor SRH are more common among women and persons with lower socioeconomic status (SES), but it is unclear whether these associations also hold in sub-Saharan African settings. The general objective of the present thesis was to better understand the social stratification in health in sub-Saharan Africa. More specifically, this study aimed to: 1) To examine the associations of SRH with measures of physical and mental health (chronic diseases, functional limitations, and depression) among adults in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, and how these associations vary by sex, education level, and age; 2) To analyze differences in cognitive impairment and mobility disability between older men and women in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, and to assess the extent to which these differences could be attributable to gender inequalities in life course social and health conditions; 3) To examine the relationship between SES and multiple disability measures among adults aged 18 and older in 18 sub-Saharan African countries and to determine whether socioeconomic differences in disability are characterized by an increase, decrease or stability with increasing age. The results of our analyses are in three scientific research articles, which rest upon data taken from a cross-sectional interviewer-administered health survey conducted in 2010 in areas of the Ouagadougou Health and Demographic Surveillance System, and the World Health Survey conducted in 2002-2004 by the World Health Organization (WHO). In the first article, poor SRH was strongly associated with chronic diseases and functional limitations, but not with depression. The effect of functional limitations on poor SRH intensified with age and with decreasing education level. In contrast, the effect of chronic diseases appeared to decrease with age. No variation by sex was observed in the associations of SRH with chronic diseases, functional limitations, and depression. These findings suggest that different subpopulations delineated by age and education level weight the components of health differently in their self-rated health in Ouagadougou. The results of the second article indicated that female gender was positively associated with higher levels of cognitive impairment and mobility disability. The female excess in these disabilities was only partially explained by gender differences in nutritional status, marital status and, to a lesser extent, education. These results suggest that enhancing nutritional status and educational opportunities throughout life span could prevent cognitive impairment and mobility disability and partly reduce the female excess in these disabilities. In the third article, we found that the lack of education was positively associated with poorer functional health, and the health gap between educational levels remains static with increasing age. These findings suggest that, in sub-Saharan Africa, compared to the well educated, the undereducated have fewer economic and social resources and health-promoting behaviors which have beneficial, albeit constant effects on functional health over the life course.