MOST OECD COUNTRIES conduct regular health surveys that ask respondents how, in general, they would rate their health. We know from many studies published in the medical literature that this in an important question to ask. The reason is that self-rated health is a reliable measure of actual health.
The key finding, if one compares responses in 2011, 2016 and 2022, is that there has been a shift from good to less good health. In 2011, 88% of the population rated their health as very good or good. The corresponding figure was similar in 2016 . In 2022, it dropped to 83%. Less encouraging findings All the other age groups have experienced a shift from good to less good health. One group that seems to be particularly affected is the 30 to 39 age group. In 2011, 93% of those aged 30 to 39 reported being in good or very good health.
There might be other factors at play. However, it is likely that the pandemic explains, at least to some extent, why most age groups have experienced a shift from good to less good health. The pandemic has brought many changes to people’s lives. Many studies document that most of these changes have been detrimental to health.