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Open Access 01-12-2021 | Public Health | Research article

The dose-response relationship between socioeconomic deprivation and alcohol-attributable mortality risk—a systematic review and meta-analysis

Authors: Charlotte Probst, Shannon Lange, Carolin Kilian, Celine Saul, Jürgen Rehm

Published in: BMC Medicine | Issue 1/2021

Abstract

Background

Individuals with low socioeconomic status (SES) experience a higher risk of mortality, in general, and alcohol-attributable mortality in particular. However, a knowledge gap exists concerning the dose-response relationships between the level of socioeconomic deprivation and the alcohol-attributable mortality risk.

Methods

We conducted a systematic literature search in August of 2020 to update a previous systematic review that included studies published up until February of 2013. Quantitative studies reporting on socioeconomic inequality in alcohol-attributable mortality among the general adult population were included. We used random-effects dose-response meta-analyses to investigate the relationship between the level of socioeconomic deprivation and the relative alcohol-attributable risk (RR), by sex and indicator of SES (education, income, and occupation).

Results

We identified 25 eligible studies, comprising about 241 million women and 230 million men, among whom there were about 75,200 and 308,400 alcohol-attributable deaths, respectively. A dose-response relationship between the level of socioeconomic deprivation and the RR was found for all indicators of SES. The sharpest and non-linear increase in the RR of dying from an alcohol-attributable cause of death with increasing levels of socioeconomic deprivation was observed for education, where, compared to the most educated individuals, individuals at percentiles with decreasing education had the following RR of dying: women: 25th: 2.09 [95% CI 1.70–2.59], 50th: 3.43 [2.67–4.49], 75th: 4.43 [3.62–5.50], 100th: 4.50 [3.26–6.40]; men: 25th: 2.34 [1.98–2.76], 50th: 4.22 [3.38–5.24], 75th: 5.87 [4.75–7.10], 100th: 6.28 [4.89–8.07].

Conclusions

The findings of this study show that individuals along the entire continuum of SES are exposed to increased alcohol-attributable mortality risk. Differences in the dose-response relationship can guide priorities in targeting public health initiatives.

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Title: The dose-response relationship between socioeconomic deprivation and alcohol-attributable mortality risk—a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Charlotte Probst
Shannon Lange
Carolin Kilian
Celine Saul
Jürgen Rehm
Publication date: 01-12-2021
Publisher: BioMed Central
Keyword: Public Health
Published in: BMC Medicine / Issue 1/2021
Electronic ISSN: 1741-7015
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12916-021-02132-z

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

The dose-response relationship between socioeconomic deprivation and alcohol-attributable mortality risk—a systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

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