Háskóli ÍslandsUniversity of IcelandHáskólinn á AkureyriUniversity of AkureyriSigurdardottir, Arun K.Kristofersson, GisliGustafsdottir, Sonja StellySigurðsson, Stefán BArnadottir, Solveig ASteingrimsson, JonGunnarsdottir, Elin2020-06-112020-06-112019-11-29Arun K. Sigurdardottir, Gísli Kort Kristófersson, Sonja Stelly Gústafsdóttir, Stefan B Sigurdsson, Solveig A. Arnadottir, Jon Arni Steingrimsson & Elín Díanna Gunnarsdóttir (2019) Self-rated health and socio-economic status among older adults in Northern Iceland, International Journal of Circumpolar Health, 78:1, 1697476, DOI: 10.1080/22423982.2019.16974762242-3982https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11815/1885Publisher's version (útgefin grein)Little is known about self-rated health (SRH) of older people living in more remote and Arctic areas. Iceland is a high-income country with one of the lowest rates of income inequality in the world, which may influence SRH. The research aim was to study factors affecting SRH, in such a population living in Northern Iceland. Stratified random sample according to the place of residency, age and gender was used and data collected via face-to-face interviews. Inclusion criteria included community-dwelling adults ≥65 years of age. Response rate was 57.9% (N = 175), average age 74.2 (sd 6.3) years, range 65–92 years and 57% were men. The average number of diagnosed diseases was 1.5 (sd 1.3) and prescribed medications 3.0 (sd 1.7). SRH ranged from 5 (excellent) to 1 (bad), with an average of 3.26 (sd 1.0) and no difference between the place of residency. Lower SRH was independently explained by depressed mood (OR = 0.88, 95% CI = 0.80–0.96), higher body mass index (OR = 0.93, 95% CI = 0.87–0.99), number of prescribed medications (OR = 0.88, 95% CI = 0.78–1.00) and perception of inadequate income (OR = 0.45, 95% CI = 0.21–0.98). The results highlight the importance of physical and mental health promotion for general health and for ageing in place and significance of economic factors as predictors of SRH.1697476eninfo:eu-repo/semantics/openAccessArctic areasCommunity dwellingOlder peopleRural healthDreifbýliHeilsufarAldraðirinfo:eu-repo/semantics/articleInternational Journal of Circumpolar Health10.1080/22423982.2019.1697476