OBJECTIVES: This study assessed whether aggregate-level measures of socioeconomic status (SES) are less biased as proxies for individual-level measures if the unit of geographic aggregation is small in size and population. METHODS: National Health Interview Survey and census data were used to replicate analyses that identified the degree to which aggregate proxies of individual SES bias interpretations of the effects of SES on health. RESULTS: Ordinary least squares regressions on self-perceived health showed that the coefficients for income and education measured at the tract and block group levels were larger than those at the individual level but smaller than those estimated by Geronimus et al. at the zip code level. CONCLUSIONS: Researchers should be cautious about use of proxy measurement of individual SES even if proxies are calculated from small geographic units.
OBJECTIVES: This study assessed whether aggregate-level measures of socioeconomic status (SES) are less biased as proxies for individual-level measures if the unit of geographic aggregation is small in size and population. METHODS: National Health Interview Survey and census data were used to replicate analyses that identified the degree to which aggregate proxies of individual SES bias interpretations of the effects of SES on health. RESULTS: Ordinary least squares regressions on self-perceived health showed that the coefficients for income and education measured at the tract and block group levels were larger than those at the individual level but smaller than those estimated by Geronimus et al. at the zip code level. CONCLUSIONS: Researchers should be cautious about use of proxy measurement of individual SES even if proxies are calculated from small geographic units.
Authors: Danielle A Southern; William A Ghali; Peter D Faris; Colleen M Norris; P Diane Galbraith; Michelle M Graham; Merril L Knudtson Journal: Can J Public Health Date: 2002 Nov-Dec
Authors: Dawn Kleindorfer; Christopher Lindsell; Kathleen A Alwell; Charles J Moomaw; Daniel Woo; Matthew L Flaherty; Pooja Khatri; Opeolu Adeoye; Simona Ferioli; Brett M Kissela Journal: Stroke Date: 2012-07-05 Impact factor: 7.914
Authors: Crystelle A Egan; Susan E Marakovitz; Julia A O'Rourke; Lisa Osiecki; Cornelia Illmann; Lauren Barton; Elizabeth McLaughlin; Rachel Proujansky; Justin Royal; Heather Cowley; Martha Rangel-Lugo; David L Pauls; Jeremiah M Scharf; Carol A Mathews Journal: Am J Med Genet B Neuropsychiatr Genet Date: 2012-10-22 Impact factor: 3.568