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The first local study to examine the effects of income on health and quality of life has found that low-income men have a poorer health-related quality of life than their higher income peers. This income effect does not seem to apply to women, according to the study published in the October issue of the Hong Kong Medical Journal (Hong Kong Med J 2006;12:351-4).
A total of 876 (288 male, 588 female) subjects working for a commercial company participated in the study, done in 2002. They were asked to undergo a simple health check including measurements of blood pressure, body weight and height, as well as to complete a questionnaire asking their monthly income, occupational rank, educational level, self-perception of their own health, medical history, and social background. Their monthly incomes were used to classify them into low-, middle-, and high-income groups for further analysis. A validated Medical Outcome Study Short Form 36 (SF-36) Chinese version, which consisted of 36 items grouped under nine scales, was adopted to assess their health-related quality of life levels.
When the results of the SF-36 questionnaire were analysed, women in all income groups had similar scores. Among the men, however, those in the lower group had worse quality of life scores, in aspects such as physical functioning, physical problems, social functioning, and mental health. The study authors suggest this gender difference may be caused by traditional Chinese values, especially the expectation that men are the family breadwinners, and that a high income is a �symbol of success�. These values may not apply to women, for whom �occupational status and income level might be less important.�
The authors suggest that with a widening gap appearing between rich and poor both in Hong Kong and globally, health problems in low-income groups need to be addressed. They recommend that health education and screening programmes targetting low-income groups be developed.
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