Equalities in health and relative changes in Yuzhong county of Shanxi Province

  Objective   To investigate the extent and the relative changes of the equalities in health among population in Yuzhong county.

  Methods   Whole group was divided into four subg roups according to the educational level of the individuals.With the six-month prevalence of disease as the health indicator, cross sectional data of 1993 and 2001 were analyzed and the logistic analysis and the relative index of inequity(RII)were used to measure the inequalities in health.

  Results   The inequalities in health existed and favored the hig her educational level groups.In 1993, RII was 0.76 for men and 0.32 for women; RII increased to 0.75 and 0.17, respectively in 2001.The gaps in health were greater in women than in men, and the relative changes were also greater for women than for men.

  Conclusion   Education played an important role in health inequalities, especially for women.To reduce the gaps in health, the education work should be streng thened as well as improving other conditions.