Unraveling the demographic and socioeconomic factors shaping subjective health status in Chile over three decades: implications for health policy.

Abstract

Background: Subjective health status (SHS) is a key indicator of population health and is influenced by various demographic and socioeconomic factors. However, there is a limited understanding of how these factors have shaped SHS in Chile over the past three decades and how health policies have addressed these determinants. This study aims to analyze the predictors of SHS at an individual level and evaluate the alignment of health-focused social programs with these predictors to promote equitable health outcomes in Chile.

Method: We utilized data from the World Values Survey (WVS) to examine the impact of demographic and socioeconomic factors on SHS in Chilean adults from 1990 to 2019, applying two probit regression models with and without time control. Additionally, we analyzed the scope of 479 health-focused social programs implemented by the Chilean Government between 2012 and 2021 to determine their contribution to improving SHS and other life domains such as work, education, and social protection.

Results: Age, female, primary education, retirement, and lower-income quintiles are associated with lower SHS over time. Conversely, being a parent, having higher education, and having higher income quintiles relate to higher SHS. Education and income consistently shape SHS over time. Health-focused programs interact with other areas, providing social protection and education. Nevertheless, there are opportunities to positively affect other life domains under an intersectional social policy perspective.

Conclusions: The findings underscore the potential of well-informed health policies to substantially improve SHS. They suggest that a holistic approach, including environmental and social determinants, is crucial for advancing public health outcomes in Chile. We offer some recommendations for policy purposes.