Socio‐economic differentials in the health‐related quality of life of Australian children: results of a national study
Abstract Objective: To examine differences in health‐related quality of life (HRQL) of children living in different socio‐economic contexts in Australia. Methods: Parental reports describing the HRQL and socio‐economic status of a random national sample of 3,597 school‐age children were obtained usi...
| Main Authors: | , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Elsevier
2003-02-01
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| Series: | Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-842X.2003.tb00376.x |
| Summary: | Abstract Objective: To examine differences in health‐related quality of life (HRQL) of children living in different socio‐economic contexts in Australia. Methods: Parental reports describing the HRQL and socio‐economic status of a random national sample of 3,597 school‐age children were obtained using the Child Health Questionnaire (CHQ) and a standardised socio‐economic interview. Response rate was 70%. Results: Children in families of higher income, whose parents had more years of schooling and were employed and children who lived in two‐parent, original families had significantly higher HRQL across a range of domains assessed by the CHQ. Conclusion: Children from lower socio‐economic backgrounds in Australia have a significantly more negative experience of health and wellness. Such differences may well increase unless deliberate political attention is given to addressing the widening differences in relative wealth in Australia. |
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| ISSN: | 1326-0200 1753-6405 |