Heterogeneity in reporting self-assessed health of the Russians

The article aims to analyze a phenomenon of heterogeneity in self-assessed health for the Russian population from 2001 to 2015, to determine types of heterogeneity and to elicit socio-economic and health-rated determinants of heterogeneity. A generalized ordered probit model with random effects and objective diseases index indicated that the determinants of heterogeneity in the Russian Federation are for both genders: marital status, income, incomplete secondary education, living outside urban areas and region of settlement; age also affects the differences in self-reported health for women. Secondary education is also a driver of observed heterogeneity for women while different regions drive cut-point shift heterogeneity for males and females. The study confirms that direct comparison of self-assessed health for different population groups will lead to incorrect conclusions.