Introduction:

Social determinants of health encompass social factors that influence individuals' lives and health, generating inequalities and impacting quality of life.

Objective:

To establish the relationship between social determinants of health in childhood and self-perception of health in older adults from the city of Manizales.

Methodology:

Cross-sectional, relational study was conducted, secondary to the international aging study of the first cohort in 2012 IMIAS. The research included 203 men and 203 women aged between 64 and 75 years. Demographic, social, and biological variables were considered, in addition to self-perception of health. Data were processed for analysis and logistic regression using the Statgraphics Centurion XVI program.

Results:

50.4% of individuals had a good self-perception of health, which was associated with favorable conditions during childhood, such as the absence of chronic diseases, prolonged hospitalizations, or paternal unemployment. In the logistic regression model, only education during childhood had a significant influence on self-perception of health (p = 0,040).

Conclusions:

Potentially modifiable social determinants throughout life constitute an important factor for health status in old age. They also influence self-perception, chronic diseases, and functional limitations.