Individual social capital is increasingly considered to be an important determinant of an individual’s health. In this study, the relationship between individual-level social capital, based on measures of participation, engagement, trust and safety, and self-rated health was investigated in an Australian sample using routinely-collected population health survey data.
The analyses are based on a multi-year dataset comprising 12,770 adults (40% males) who participated in the ACT General Health Survey between 2007 and 2016. Using a regression modelling approach, the strength of the association between self-rated health and social capital and demographic variables, including income, education, employment status, Indigenous status, smoking status, body mass index and physical activity was examined.
The proportion of ACT residents reporting fair or poor self-rated health was estimated to be 18% (males: 15%; females: 20%). A number of lifestyle factors were associated with fair or poor self-rated health, including smoking (OR=1.7), obesity (OR=1.7) and low physical activity (OR=1.8). Having a low annual income (less than $20,000) was associated with a twofold increase in odds of fair or poor self-rated health. After adjustment for demographic variables, lack of trust (OR=1.3) and feeling unsafe (OR=1.4) were also associated with higher odds of fair or poor self-rated health.
These findings confirm the importance of social disadvantage and social isolation as independent risk factors for fair or poor self-rated health. They provide further justification for public health policies and programs that increase support for socially-excluded populations and strengthen their connection to their community.