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BMC Public Health
Published in: BMC Public Health 1/2009

Open Access 01-12-2009 | Research article

Trends in socioeconomic inequalities in cancer mortality in Barcelona: 1992–2003

Authors: Rosa Puigpinós, Carme Borrell, José Leopoldo Ferreira Antunes, Enric Azlor, M Isabel Pasarín, Gemma Serral, Mariona Pons-Vigués, Maica Rodríguez-Sanz, Esteve Fernández

Published in: BMC Public Health | Issue 1/2009

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Abstract

Background

The objective of this study was to assess trends in cancer mortality by educational level in Barcelona from 1992 to 2003.

Methods

The study population comprised Barcelona inhabitants aged 20 years or older. Data on cancer deaths were supplied by the system of information on mortality. Educational level was obtained from the municipal census. Age-standardized rates by educational level were calculated. We also fitted Poisson regression models to estimate the relative index of inequality (RII) and the Slope Index of Inequalities (SII). All were calculated for each sex and period (1992–1994, 1995–1997, 1998–2000, and 2001–2003).

Results

Cancer mortality was higher in men and women with lower educational level throughout the study period. Less-schooled men had higher mortality by stomach, mouth and pharynx, oesophagus, larynx and lung cancer. In women, there were educational inequalities for cervix uteri, liver and colon cancer. Inequalities of overall and specific types of cancer mortality remained stable in Barcelona; although a slight reduction was observed for some cancers.

Conclusion

This study has identified those cancer types presenting the greatest inequalities between men and women in recent years and shown that in Barcelona there is a stable trend in inequalities in the burden of cancer.
Appendix
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Metadata
Title
Trends in socioeconomic inequalities in cancer mortality in Barcelona: 1992–2003
Authors
Rosa Puigpinós
Carme Borrell
José Leopoldo Ferreira Antunes
Enric Azlor
M Isabel Pasarín
Gemma Serral
Mariona Pons-Vigués
Maica Rodríguez-Sanz
Esteve Fernández
Publication date
01-12-2009
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
BMC Public Health / Issue 1/2009
Electronic ISSN: 1471-2458
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2458-9-35

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