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Health status indicators > Self-rated health


The SF-36 is one of the most widely used questionnaires for measuring self-reported physical and mental health status. The SF-36 questionnaire consists of 36 questions measuring physical and mental health status in relation to eight health scales. Scores are expressed on a 1–100 scale for each of the eight health scales, with higher scores representing better self-perceived health (Ministry of Health 2004a). Non-Māori adults generally rated their health higher than Māori adults.

Figure 5: Mean SF-36 scores, males, 15+ years



Notes: Age standardised to 2001 Census total Māori population. Prioritised Māori ethnic group - see Methods and Data Sources section for further information.
Source: 2002/03 New Zealand Health Survey
Text description: This graph shows mean SF-36 scores for Māori and non-Māori males aged 15 and over. Non-Māori males rated their health higher than Māori males on all scales except vitality, but the only significant difference was for general health

Non-Māori males rated their health higher than Māori males on all scales except vitality, but the only significant difference was for general health.


Figure 6: Mean SF-36 scores, females, 15+ years



Notes: Age standardised to 2001 Census total Māori population. Prioritised Māori ethnic group - see Methods and Data Sources section for further information.
Source: 2002/03 New Zealand Health Survey
Text description: This graph shows mean SF-36 scores for Māori and non-Māori females aged 15 and over. Non-Māori females rated their health higher than Māori females on all scales. This difference was significant for physical functioning, role physical, general health, social functioning and role emotional

Non-Māori females rated their health higher than Māori females on all scales. This difference was significant for physical functioning, role physical, general health, social functioning and role emotional.

Reference:
Ministry of Health. 2004a. A Portrait of Health: Key Results of the 2002/03 New Zealand Health Survey. Wellington: Ministry of Health

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