The 1991–2004 Evolution in Life Expectancy by Educational Level in Belgium Based on Linked Census and Population Register Data

Abstract

The aim of this study is to determine trends in life expectancy by educational level in Belgium and to present elements of interpretation for the observed evolution. The analysis is based on census data providing information on educational level linked to register data on mortality for the periods 1991-1994 and 2001-2004. Using exhaustive individual linked data allows to avoid selection bias and numerator-denominator bias. The trends reveal a general increase in life expectancy together with a widening social gap. Summary indices of inequality based on life expectancies show, however, a more complex pattern and point to the importance to include the shifts in population composition by educational level in an overall assessment of the evolution of inequality by educational level.Résumé L'objectif de l'étude est de déterminer le sens et l'ampleur de l'évolution des inégalités en espérance de vie en Belgique selon le niveau d'instruction. L'analyse part des données des recensements qui fournissent l'information sur le niveau d'instruction. Ces données ont été liées au registre de la population qui fournit l'information sur la mortalité pour les périodes 1991-1994 et 2001-2004. L'utilisation de données exhaustives et d'un enregistrement de la mortalité lié

Gender differences in social mortality differentials in Switzerland (1990-2005)

“…For several reasons, demographers have mainly focused on educational achievement (Deboosere, Gadeyne, and Van Oyen 2009;Klotz and Doblhammer 2008;Rau et al 2008;Valkonen 2002). Typical demographic sources, such as censuses and death certificates, rarely contain information on income and wealth, while occupational titles are generally only available for the working-age segment of the population.…”

“…Education has also been seen as a stress reducer in the sense that cognitive skills and informal resources are helpful in handling and controlling stressful circumstances, and in conserving health capital (Deboosere, Gadeyne, and Van Oyen 2009). The capacity to cope with stress is particularly relevant because the less educated are more likely to face stressful events, such as unemployment or divorce.…”

“…In other words, the proportion of people with little or no education has been steadily declining. As a result, less educated people increasingly find themselves in marginal positions, and are less likely to benefit from services (including medical care and public health campaigns) that are designed for the educated majority (Deboosere, Gadeyne, and Van Oyen 2009).…”

Pauvreté et mortalité différentielle chez les personnes âgées

“…Nous ne disposons pas de tables de mortalité par niveau de revenu en Belgique, mais par contre nous disposons des tables de mortalité par niveau d'instruction (Deboosere et al, 2009). A partir de ces informations, il est possible d'estimer des tables de mortalité par classes de revenu au moyen d'une méthode de régression pondérée, comme dans l'étude réalisée par Bossuyt et Van Oyen (2000).…”

The effect of education on adult mortality and disability: a global perspective

“…In recent years a variety of analyses in the West have continued to document the existence of an education gradient: some, like Mackenbach (Mackenbach et al 1999;Mackenbach et al 2003), charting trends in death rates across countries (Avendano et al 2004;Fawcett et al 2005), others charting them within a single country (Kinsey et al 2008;Rau et al 2008), for a single point in time in several countries (Huisman et al 2005;Ezendam et al 2008), for trends in life expectancy (Crimmins and Saito 2001;Huisman et al 2005;Deboosere et al 2009;Ezendam et al 2008) or for older adults (Feinstein 1993;Bassuk et al 2002;Lièvre et al 2008).…”