Social capital and health in a national cohort of 82,482 Open University adults in Thailand

We report associations between social capital and health among 82,482 adults in a national cohort of Open University students residing throughout Thailand.After adjusting for covariates, poor self-assessed health was positively associated with low social trust (OR = 1.88; 95% CI 1.76—2.01) and low social support (OR = 1.79; 95% CI 1.63—1.95). In addition, poor psychological health was also associated with low social trust (OR = 2.52; 95% CI 2.41—2.64) and low social support (OR = 1.80; 95% CI 1.69—1.92). Females, elderly, unpartnered, low income, and urban residents were associated with poor health. Findings suggest ways to improve social capital and heath in Thailand and other middle-income countries.