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Minor gradient in mortality by education at the highest ages

Author

Listed:
  • Roland Rau

    (Universität Rostock)

  • Magdalena Muszyńska-Spielauer

    (Johannes Kepler Universität Linz)

  • Paul Eilers

    (Erasmus University Medical Center)

Abstract

Background: Socioeconomic mortality differentials are known to exist almost universally. Many studies show a trend towards convergence with increasing age. Information about the highest ages is very rare, though. Objective: We want to find out whether socioeconomic factors determine the chance of death in the United States among the oldest people. Methods: Based on official death count records, we employ the extinct cohort method to estimate the age-specific probability of dying by level of education. Results: We present evidence that socioeconomic differentials in mortality exist even at the highest ages (95+), although the gap is small. Comments: To our knowledge, this is the first population-based study to analyze socioeconomic mortality differentials at ages 95 and higher. We present, furthermore, a novel field of application for the extinct cohort method.

Suggested Citation

  • Roland Rau & Magdalena Muszyńska-Spielauer & Paul Eilers, 2013. "Minor gradient in mortality by education at the highest ages," Demographic Research, Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research, Rostock, Germany, vol. 29(19), pages 507-520.
    • Handle: RePEc:dem:demres:v:29:y:2013:i:19
    DOI: 10.4054/DemRes.2013.29.19
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Mackenbach, J.P. & Kunst, A.E. & Groenhof, F. & Borgan, J.-K. & Costa, G. & Faggiano, F. & Józan, P. & Leinsalu, M. & Martikainen, P. & Rychtarikova, J. & Valkonen, T., 1999. "Socioeconomic inequalities in mortality among women and among men: An international study," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 89(12), pages 1800-1806.
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    3. Roland Rau & Eugeny Soroko & Domantas Jasilionis & James W. Vaupel, 2008. "Continued Reductions in Mortality at Advanced Ages," Population and Development Review, The Population Council, Inc., vol. 34(4), pages 747-768, December.
    4. Bengtsson, Tommy & van Poppel, Frans, 2011. "Socioeconomic inequalities in death from past to present: An introduction," Explorations in Economic History, Elsevier, vol. 48(3), pages 343-356, July.
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    oldest old mortality; socioeconomic differentials; extinct cohort;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • J1 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics
    • Z0 - Other Special Topics - - General

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