Análise da percep？？o do estado de saúde dos idosos da regi？o metropolitana de Belo Horizonte

objective: to analyze how the elderly population in the metropolitan region of belo horizonte perceive their own health situation. methodology: data from the household sample survey (pad/mg) were used held in 2009 by jo？o pinheiro foundation. it was examined and interviewed a random sample of 963 people aged 60 years or more residents in the metropolitan region of belo horizonte. the dependent variable was self-perceived of health status and the independent variables were: diseases that require constant monitoring, smoking, regular physical activity, working, pension benefits and education. a descriptive analysis and statistical analysis of association were conducted by means of chi-square and t student. results: the study interviewed 963 people aged 60 years or greater; 58.2% of the sample are women, mean age of 69.4 years and 44% reported health status as "very good or good" and 10.7% "bad or very bad". from the subjects who reported having health problems that require constant monitoring (n=960), 42% suffer of arterial hypertension; 78.5% can be considered illiterate; 67.9% received retirement or pension in the reference month of the survey; 25% reported performing regular physical activity; 10.7% declared their health state as being "bad or very bad". the self-perception of health status is worse among the elderly reporting chronic diseases, poor education, lack of working habits and reduced physical activity ((p<0,05). these results can be considered as crucial information to help in the search for implementing better government funded programs to assist the elderly population of minas gerais.