International Journal of Epidemiology 2002;31:533-538
© International Epidemiological Association 2002
Reprints and Reflections |
Income and inequality as determinants of mortality: an international cross-section analysisa

G. Rodgers is Head, Research Wing, Population and Labour Policies Branch, International Labour Organisation.
Introduction
The determinants of mortality change in less developed countries are not easy to unravel. Improvements in health technology and availability are evidently relevant; education certainly plays an important part; sanitation, clean water supply and a host of other environmental variables have undoubted effects. But empirically, the effects of these different factors are difficult to identify. The variables tend to be collinear with each other, and with many other aspects of development, making their isolation difficult. Moreover, there is a tendency for health programmes to be most intensive in the least healthy places, for obvious reasons, further confusing observed relationships.
Identifying the impact of factors such as these, which are directly associated with health, is well worth while for purposes of policy formulation; but it may not be critical for a description of mortality changes in the process of development. For behind these specific variables, the overall economic status of individuals
Theory
Data
Results
(i) Life expectancy at birth
(ii) Life expectancy at fifth birthday
(iii) Infant mortality
(iv) Less developed countries only
Conclusion
Appendix
Notes
References
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