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Mortality Inequality in Canada and the U.S.: Divergent or Convergent Trends?

Author

Listed:
  • Michael Baker
  • Janet Currie
  • Hannes Schwandt

Abstract

Mortality is a crucial indicator of wellbeing and recent mortality trends have been a subject of public debate in many Western countries. This paper compares mortality inequality in Canada and the U.S. over the period 1990/91 through 2010/11. In Canada, mortality inequality remained constant among the youngest, but increased for men over 24 and for women over 14. In contrast, in the U.S. mortality inequality fell for children and youth, while at older ages it either modestly decreased or held steady. By 2010/11 the initially higher U.S. rates of infant and child mortality had almost converged to their Canadian counterparts.

Suggested Citation

  • Michael Baker & Janet Currie & Hannes Schwandt, 2017. "Mortality Inequality in Canada and the U.S.: Divergent or Convergent Trends?," NBER Working Papers 23514, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    • Handle: RePEc:nbr:nberwo:23514
    Note: AG CH EH
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Nicolas Berman & Lorenzo Rotunno & Roberta Ziparo, 2020. "Sweet child of mine: Parental income, child health and inequality," AMSE Working Papers 2005, Aix-Marseille School of Economics, France, revised Dec 2022.
    2. Berman, Nicolas & Rotunno, Lorenzo & Ziparo, Roberta, 2020. "Sweet child of mine: Income, health and inequality," CEPR Discussion Papers 14444, C.E.P.R. Discussion Papers.

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    JEL classification:

    • I14 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Health and Inequality

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