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Health in working-aged Americans: Adults with high school equivalency diploma are similar to dropouts, not high school graduates

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  • Zajacova, A.

Abstract

Objectives: We compared health outcomes for adults with the General Equivalency Diploma (GED) and regular high school diploma to determine whetherGED recipients are equivalent to regular graduates despite research that documents their disadvantages in other outcomes. Methods. We used 1997 to 2009 National Health Interview Survey crosssectional data on high school dropouts, graduates, and GED recipients aged 30 to 65 years (n = 76 705). Five general health indicators and 20 health conditions were analyzed using logistic models. Results. GED recipients had a significantly higher prevalence of every health outcome compared with high school graduates (odds ratios = 1.3-2.7). The GED- high school differences attenuated but remained evident after controlling for health insurance, economic status, and health behaviors. For most conditions, the 95% confidence interval for GED earners overlapped with that for high school dropouts. Conclusions. The high school equivalency diploma was associated with nonequivalent health: adults with a GED had health comparable to that of high school dropouts, not graduates. GED recipients were at increased risk for many health conditions, and their health should be viewed as distinct from regular graduates. The findings have implications for health and educational policies.

Suggested Citation

  • Zajacova, A., 2012. "Health in working-aged Americans: Adults with high school equivalency diploma are similar to dropouts, not high school graduates," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 102(S2), pages 284-290.
    • Handle: RePEc:aph:ajpbhl:10.2105/ajph.2011.300524_8
    DOI: 10.2105/AJPH.2011.300524
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    Cited by:

    1. Christopher J. Holmes & Anna Zajacova, 2014. "Education as “the Great Equalizer”: Health Benefits for Black and White Adults," Social Science Quarterly, Southwestern Social Science Association, vol. 95(4), pages 1064-1085, December.
    2. Elizabeth M. Lawrence & Richard G. Rogers & Anna Zajacova, 2016. "Educational Attainment and Mortality in the United States: Effects of Degrees, Years of Schooling, and Certification," Population Research and Policy Review, Springer;Southern Demographic Association (SDA), vol. 35(4), pages 501-525, August.
    3. Elaine M. Hernandez & Mike Vuolo & Laura C. Frizzell & Brian C. Kelly, 2019. "Moving Upstream: The Effect of Tobacco Clean Air Restrictions on Educational Inequalities in Smoking Among Young Adults," Demography, Springer;Population Association of America (PAA), vol. 56(5), pages 1693-1721, October.
    4. Walsemann, Katrina M. & Gee, Gilbert C. & Gentile, Danielle, 2015. "Sick of our loans: Student borrowing and the mental health of young adults in the United States," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 124(C), pages 85-93.
    5. Zajacova, Anna & Montez, Jennifer Karas, 2018. "Explaining the increasing disability prevalence among mid-life US adults, 2002 to 2016," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 211(C), pages 1-8.
    6. Craig T. Dearfield & Margaret Ulfers & Kimberly Horn & Debra H. Bernat, 2024. "Resident Support for the Federally Mandated Smoke-Free Rule in Public Housing: 2018–2022," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 21(1), pages 1-8, January.

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