MMWR. Morbidity and mortality weekly report
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MMWR Morb. Mortal. Wkly. Rep. · Apr 2000
Community indicators of health-related quality of life--United States, 1993-1997.
It is known that persons' longevity is affected by the environmental and population characteristics of their community. Studies that identify community-level characteristics associated with the health-related quality of life (HRQOL) of residents could help guide local health planning. Data from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) for 1993-1997 indicate that HRQOL differs among U. ⋯ In addition, socioeconomic and health status indicators, such as poverty, noncompletion of high school, unemployment, number of persons with severe work disabilities, mortality, and births to adolescents, also might affect county-level HRQOL differences. This report examines initial findings on the relation between selected community health status indicators (CHSIs) and the mean number of days that persons aged > or =18 years reported ill health (i.e., unhealthy days), a surveillance measure of population HRQOL. The findings suggest that CHSIs may be useful in the public health planning process.