Mortality by Education Before and During the COVID-19 Pandemic, U.S., 2017–2020

ABSTRACT:

Introduction

Mortality disparities by SES, including education, have steadily increased in the U.S. over the past decades. This study examined whether these disparities overall and for 7 major causes of death were exacerbated in 2020, coincident with the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods

Using data on 7,123,254 U.S. deaths from 2017 to 2020, age-standardized death rates and mortality rate differences per 100,000 population and rate ratios comparing least with most educated were calculated by sex and race/ethnicity.

Results

All-cause death rates were approximately 2 times higher among adults with least than among those with most education. Disparities in all-cause mortality by educational attainment slightly increased from 2017 (rate ratio=1.97; 95% CI=1

SUBMITTER:  

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9556603 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature