© 1994 Oxford University Press
other |
International Variation in the Size of Mortality Differences Associated with Occupational Status
Department of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Erasmus University PO Box 1738, 3000 DR Rotterdam, The Netherlands
BackgroundPrevious international comparisons on the size of mortality differences associated with occupational status have relied on inequality indices with one or more limitations. This study reassesses the international pattern of inequalities in mortality using an inequality index devised recently.
MethodsData on mortality by social class were obtained from longitudinal studies from seven contries. The data referred to men aged 35–64 years. The follow-up period was approximately 1971–1981. The size of mortality differences associated with occupational status was measured using a modification of the Relative index of inequality.
ResultsThe smallest inequalities in mortality are observed for Norway and Denmark. Larger inequalities are observed for Sweden (compared to Norway circa 1.5 times as large), England and Wales (2 times), Finland (4–5 times) and France (6–8 times). Inequalities in a Dutch city, Rotterdam, are as large as in Danish and Swedish cities, and smaller than in Finnish and French cities. Results of sensitivity analyses suggest that probably only a small part of this international pattern can be attributed to differences between countries with respect to occupational classification.
ConclusionsThe results of most previous international comparisons agree with the general pattern observed here This simultaneous comparison of various countries shows that the frequently cited difference between Sweden, and England and Wales is small when viewed in a wider international context.
Received 1 February 1994
CiteULike 
Connotea 
Del.icio.us What's this?
This article has been cited by other articles:
|
|
 |
|
  M Avendano, A E Kunst, M Huisman, F V Lenthe, M Bopp, E Regidor, M Glickman, G Costa, T Spadea, P Deboosere, et al. Socioeconomic status and ischaemic heart disease mortality in 10 western European populations during the 1990s Heart, April 1, 2006; 92(4): 461 - 467. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 F. Bazin, I. Parizot, and P. Chauvin Original approach to the individual characteristics associated with forgone healthcare: A study in underprivileged areas, Paris region, France, 2001-2003 Eur J Public Health, August 1, 2005; 15(4): 361 - 367. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 P Jousilahti, V Salomaa, V Rasi, E Vahtera, and T Palosuo Association of markers of systemic inflammation, C reactive protein, serum amyloid A, and fibrinogen, with socioeconomic status J. Epidemiol. Community Health, September 1, 2003; 57(9): 730 - 733. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
B Galobardes and A Morabia Measuring the habitat as an indicator of socioeconomic position: methodology and its association with hypertension J. Epidemiol. Community Health, April 1, 2003; 57(4): 248 - 253. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
L J Hayes and G Berry Sampling variability of the Kunst-Mackenbach relative index of inequality J. Epidemiol. Community Health, October 1, 2002; 56(10): 762 - 765. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 B. SINGER and C. D. RYFF Hierarchies of Life Histories and Associated Health Risks Ann. N.Y. Acad. Sci., January 1, 1999; 896(1): 96 - 115. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 S. MacIntyre and K. Hunt Socio-economic Position, Gender and Health: How Do They Interact? J Health Psychol, July 1, 1997; 2(3): 315 - 334. [Abstract]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 J. P Mackenbach Socioeconomic inequalities in health in the Netherlands: impact of a five year research programme BMJ, December 3, 1994; 309(6967): 1487 - 1491. [Full Text]
|
|