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Open Access 01-05-2015 | Original Article

Educational inequalities in diabetes mortality across Europe in the 2000s: the interaction with gender

Authors: Hadewijch Vandenheede, Patrick Deboosere, Albert Espelt, Matthias Bopp, Carme Borrell, Giuseppe Costa, Terje Andreas Eikemo, Roberto Gnavi, Rasmus Hoffmann, Ivana Kulhanova, Margarete Kulik, Mall Leinsalu, Pekka Martikainen, Gwenn Menvielle, Maica Rodriguez-Sanz, Jitka Rychtarikova, Johan P. Mackenbach

Published in: International Journal of Public Health | Issue 4/2015

Abstract

Objectives

To evaluate educational inequalities in diabetes mortality in Europe in the 2000s, and to assess whether these inequalities differ between genders.

Methods

Data were obtained from mortality registries covering 14 European countries. To determine educational inequalities in diabetes mortality, age-standardised mortality rates, mortality rate ratios, and slope and relative indices of inequality were calculated. To assess whether the association between education and diabetes mortality differs between genders, diabetes mortality was regressed on gender, educational rank and ‘gender × educational rank’.

Results

An inverse association between education and diabetes mortality exists in both genders across Europe. Absolute educational inequalities are generally larger among men than women; relative inequalities are generally more pronounced among women, the relative index of inequality being 2.8 (95 % CI 2.0–3.9) in men versus 4.8 (95 % CI 3.2–7.2) in women. Gender inequalities in diabetes mortality are more marked in the highest than the lowest educated.

Conclusions

Education and diabetes mortality are inversely related in Europe in the 2000s. This association differs by gender, indicating the need to take the socioeconomic and gender dimension into account when developing public health policies.

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Title: Educational inequalities in diabetes mortality across Europe in the 2000s: the interaction with gender
Authors: Hadewijch Vandenheede
Patrick Deboosere
Albert Espelt
Matthias Bopp
Carme Borrell
Giuseppe Costa
Terje Andreas Eikemo
Roberto Gnavi
Rasmus Hoffmann
Ivana Kulhanova
Margarete Kulik
Mall Leinsalu
Pekka Martikainen
Gwenn Menvielle
Maica Rodriguez-Sanz
Jitka Rychtarikova
Johan P. Mackenbach
Publication date: 01-05-2015
Publisher: Springer Basel
Published in: International Journal of Public Health / Issue 4/2015
Print ISSN: 1661-8556
Electronic ISSN: 1661-8564
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00038-015-0669-8

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Educational inequalities in diabetes mortality across Europe in the 2000s: the interaction with gender

Abstract

Objectives

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Objectives

Methods

Results

Conclusions

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