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International Journal of Public Health

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01-06-2014 | Original Article

Individual- and area-level effects on mortality risk in Germany, both East and West, among male Germans aged 65+

Author: Eva U. B. Kibele

Published in: International Journal of Public Health | Issue 3/2014

Abstract

Objectives

This study investigates whether mortality inequalities based on individual- and area-level deprivation exist at older ages in Germany, and whether there are differences between eastern and western Germany.

Methods

Data on population and death counts according to the individual-level socioeconomic status of male German pensioners aged 65+ years in Germany in 2002–2004 were obtained from the German Federal Pension Fund. Area-level characteristics for the 439 German districts were incorporated. Multilevel Poisson models were fitted.

Results

Individual-level socioeconomic mortality inequalities exist among elderly men in Germany. After controlling for differential population composition in the districts, we found that district-level factors contribute to the explanation of mortality inequalities in (western) Germany. The analysis further indicated that mortality and mortality inequalities tend to be higher in more economically deprived districts, and that minor mortality differences attributable to regional conditions exist in eastern Germany.

Conclusions

The results showed that regional conditions have moderate effects on health inequalities at older ages in (western) Germany, when the differential population composition in the districts is controlled for.

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Title: Individual- and area-level effects on mortality risk in Germany, both East and West, among male Germans aged 65+
Author: Eva U. B. Kibele
Publication date: 01-06-2014
Publisher: Springer Basel
Published in: International Journal of Public Health / Issue 3/2014
Print ISSN: 1661-8556
Electronic ISSN: 1661-8564
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00038-013-0480-3

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on sleep in brain health

Springer Medicine

Individual- and area-level effects on mortality risk in Germany, both East and West, among male Germans aged 65+

Abstract

Objectives

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on sleep in brain health

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Objectives

Methods

Results

Conclusions

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