Widening educational disparities in premature death rates in twenty six states in the United States, 1993-2007.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Eliminating socioeconomic disparities in health is an overarching goal of the U.S. Healthy People decennial initiatives. We present recent trends in mortality by education among working-aged populations.

Methods and findings

Age-standardized death rates and their average annual percent change for all-cause and five major causes (cancer, heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and accidents) were calculated from 1993 through 2007 for individuals aged 25-64 years by educational attainment as a marker of socioeconomic status, using national vital registration data for 26 states with consistent educational information on the death certificates. Rate ratios and rate differences were used to assess disparities (≤12 versus ≥16 years of education) for 1993 through 2007. From 199

SUBMITTER: Ma J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3401120 | biostudies-literature | 2012

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature