Health - Self-assessment Of Health

In addition to indicating physical and mental illnesses, the way people feel often reflects their attitudes toward themselves and society. In 2001, 15.5 percent of non-Hispanic African-Americans reported their health as fair or poor, compared to 7.9 percent of non-Hispanic white individuals. Approximately 14.5 percent of Native Americans and Alaska Natives reported their health as fair or poor, as did 8.1 percent of Asians. Approximately 12.7 percent of Hispanics reported their health as fair or poor, and 12.5 percent of Mexican-origin Hispanics reported their health as fair or poor. (See Table 6.1.)