Widening of socioeconomic inequalities in U.S. death rates, 1993-2001.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Socioeconomic inequalities in death rates from all causes combined widened from 1960 until 1990 in the U.S., largely because cardiovascular death rates decreased more slowly in lower than in higher socioeconomic groups. However, no studies have examined trends in inequalities using recent US national data.

Methodology/principal findings

We calculated annual age-standardized death rates from 1993-2001 for 25-64 year old non-Hispanic whites and blacks by level of education for all causes and for the seven most common causes of death using death certificate information from 43 states and Washington, D.C. Regression analysis was used to estimate annual percent change. The inequalities in all cause death rates between Americans with less than high school education and

SUBMITTER: Jemal A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2367434 | biostudies-literature | 2008 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature