Health state of the Hungarian population between 2000-2010

Introduction: So far, the latest survey which used the EQ-5D questionnaire to measure the health status of the Hungarian population was carried out in 2000. Aim: To explore the health state of the Hungarian population by socio-demographic characteristics, and to compare it with the results from 2000. Method: As part of an international research project, a cross-sectional, online survey was carried out among the general population in 2010 using the EQ-5D-3L questionnaire. Results: In total, 2281 respondents (female: 62.3%) completed the questionnaire with an average age of 40.8 years. The EQ-5D score ranged from 0.902 (in age-group 18-24) to 0.795 (65+). The authors found significant association between the EQ-5D score and all the socio-demographic variables (gender, age, education, income) included in the regression model (F-(4,F-1967) = 35.12, p = 0.000). The results did not differ significantly from the health survey in 2000, except for the youngest population group (age 18-24), where significantly lower scores were found in the sample. Conclusions: While life expectance increased by 3 years between 2000 and 2010, the health status of the Hungarian population did not change significantly, and might even decreased among young adults in fact. Inequalities in health status by income and education remain significant. In international comparison, the health status of the Hungarian population remains among the worst ones.