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Abstract Objective:  To measure health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in Jordan Methods:  A multi-stage sampling design was used to select households where an adult 18 years of age or older, selected at random, was interviewed. Four HRQOL questions, initially developed by the U.S. CDC, related to mental and physical health were included in the questionnaire and overall unhealthy days were calculated. HRQOL measures were compared to selected chronic conditions and risk factors. Results:  Older adults (aged 65 and over), females, persons who were illiterate or with only primary education, and persons with monthly income less than $ 140 reported the highest percentage of fair or poor health and ≥14 overall unhealthy days compared to persons without these characteristics. A high percentage of persons with asthma (33 %), hypertension (37 %), high blood cholesterol (37 %), and diabetes (47 %) also reported fair and poor health. Conclusion:  Demographic characteristics, the presence of a chronic condition or a chronic disease risk factor are important determinants of mental and physical well-being in Jordan and should be taken into account when planning public health interventions or prevention and promotion programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]