Factors associated with self-perceived excellent and very good health among Blacks--Kansas, 1995

Self-perceived health is related to functional status, morbidity and mortality and is an important measure in determining health status and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) scales. In 1994, the group of health professionals who established the health status indicators for Healthy People 2000 recommended that states examine the indicators for major demographic subgroups (e.g., racial/ethnic groups). The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) analyzed data from the 1995 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) supplemental survey of blacks in Kansas to determine the relation between self-perceived excellent and very good health (EVGH) and physical functioning, mental functioning, role limitations, access to care, and health behaviors among blacks--the largest racial/ethnic minority group in that state. This report summarizes the findings of the analysis, which indicate that several factors related to demographics, physical functioning, and health behaviors were associated with EVGH.