Associations between healthy behaviour and self-assessed long-term health in a population-based longitudinal study in Switzerland

Mayssam Nehme, Stephanie Schrempft, Hélène Baysson, Nick Pullen, Serguei Rouzinov, Silvia Stringhini, Idris Guessous, for the Specchio study group.
Associations Between Healthy Behaviors and Persistently Favorable Self-Rated Health in a Longitudinal Population-Based Study in Switzerland Journal of General Internal Medicine, 25 march 2024, doi: 10.1007/s11606-024-08739-1.

Abstract

Background: Self-rated health is a subjective but valuable indicator of general health, influenced by a variety of factors including physical, psychological and socio-economic elements. Self-rated health can be revealing and can be used by GPs to assess overall present and predictive health.

Design: This study examines the longitudinal evolution of self-rated health in Switzerland during the COVID-19 pandemic, focusing on the association between persistent favourable self-rated health and various predictors.

Participants:This study, carried out in support of the Specchio cohort - a digital study based on the population of Geneva, Switzerland - involved participants who completed questionnaires between 2021 and 2023.

Main measurements: Self-rated health was assessed alongside other factors such as physical and mental health, socio-economic status and lifestyle.

Results: The study included 7006 people participating in 2021, and 3888 people who had responded to all follow-ups (2021, 2022 and 2023). At baseline, 34.9% of people reported a very good self-assessment of their health, 54.6% rated it as good, 9.6% as fair and 1.0% as poor or very poor. Overall, for 29.1% of them, their self-assessed health deteriorated between 2021 and 2023. A subgroup of participants (12.1%) maintained very good self-rated health throughout this period, demonstrating persistent favourable self-rated health during the COVID-19 pandemic. Positive health behaviours were associated with persistent favourable self-rated health (exercise aOR 1.13 [1.03-1.24]; healthy eating aOR 2.14 [1.70-2.68]; less screen time aOR 1.28 [1.03-1.58]; and better sleep quality aOR 2.48 [2.02-3.04]). Mental health and social support also played significant roles.

Conclusion: The study highlights the importance of healthy lifestyle choices and social support in maintaining a favourable self-assessment of health, particularly during difficult times such as the COVID-19 pandemic. These results suggest that GPs should focus on promoting these factors, incorporating them into their routine consultations, and encouraging their patients to engage in socially stimulating activities, in order to improve their health and their perception of it.

Link to the article in English