US mortality by economic, demographic, and social characteristics: the National Longitudinal Mortality Study.

Abstract

OBJECTIVES. A large US sample was used to estimate the effects of race, employment status, income, education, occupation, marital status, and household size on mortality. METHODS. Approximately 530,000 persons 25 years of age or more were identified from selected Current Population Surveys between 1979 and 1985. These individuals were followed for mortality through use of the National Death Index for the years 1979 through 1989. RESULTS. Higher mortality was found in Blacks than in Whites less than 65 years of age; in persons not in the labor force, with lower incomes, with less education, and in service and other lower level occupations; and in persons not married and living alone. With occasional exceptions, in specific sex and age groups, these relationships were reduced but remained strong and statistically significant when each variable was adjusted for all of the other characteristics. The relationships were generally weaker in individuals 65 years of age or more. CONCLUSIONS. Employment status, income, education, occupation, race, and marital status have substantial net associations with mortality. This study identified segments of the population in need of public health attention and demonstrated the importance of including these variables in morbidity and mortality studies.

Intimate Partner Violence, Welfare Receipt, and Health Status of Low‐Income African American Women: A Lifecourse Analysis

“…In addition, greater cumulative IPV exposure was associated with worse self-rated health, which has been shown to be a good indicator of subsequent morbidity and mortality (Fryers et al, 2003;McDonough et al, 1997;Ren et al, 1999;Sorlie et al, 1995). Greater cumulative IPV exposure was also associated with the likelihood that self-reported symptoms met the diagnostic criteria for PTSD, as well as the likelihood that the respondents' physical health and emotional problems interfered with their work.…”

“…It is well established that low-income individuals, especially the persistently poor (i.e., individuals who earn less than $20,000 for 4 years or more), have high rates of mortality and morbidity (Geronimus, 1992;Krieger, Rowley, Herman, Avery, & Phillips, 1993;McDonough, Duncan, Williams, & House, 1997;Ren, Benjamin, & Williams, 1999;Sorlie, Backlund, & Keller, 1995). Studies have also found an association between low income and compromised mental health among women, such as affective disorders, anxiety disorders, and nonaffective psychosis (Fryers, Melzer, & Jenkins, 2003;Kessler et al, 1994;Regier et al, 1993;Robbins, Locke, & Regier, 1991;Williams, Takeuchi, & Adair, 1992).…”

Overweight and poor? On the relationship between income and the body mass index

“…See for example, Pappas et al (1993), Sorlie, Backlund and Keller (1995), Deaton and Paxson (1999), Deaton (2001). Essentially all of this analysis is based on estimating the correlation between the probability of a negative health outcome and income.…”

Socioeconomic disparities in health change in a longitudinal study of US adults: the role of health-risk behaviors

“…Morbidity and mortality rates vary greatly by markers of socioeconomic position, including education, income, and occupation (Davey Smith, Shipley & Rose, 1990;Sorlie, Backlund & Keller, 1995;Pappas, Queen, Hadden & Fisher, 1993). The strong negative association between socioeconomic factors and health status has been observed across a wide variety of historical contexts, geographic locations, and populations (Blaxter 1987;Haan, Kaplan & Syme, 1989;Link & Phelan, 1995;Lynch & Kaplan, in press).…”