J Prev Med Public Health.  2011 Nov;44(6):249-259. 10.3961/jpmph.2011.44.6.249.

Changes in Contribution of Causes of Death to Socioeconomic Mortality Inequalities in Korean Adults

• Jung-Choi
• Khang YH
• Cho HJ

• KMID: 1031140
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3961/jpmph.2011.44.6.249

Abstract

OBJECTIVES
This study aimed to analyze long-term trends in the contribution of each cause of death to socioeconomic inequalities in all-cause mortality among Korean adults.
METHODS
Data were collected from death certificates between 1990 and 2004 and from censuses in 1990, 1995, and 2000. Age-standardized death rates by gender were produced according to education as the socioeconomic position indicator, and the slope index of inequality was calculated to evaluate the contribution of each cause of death to socioeconomic inequalities in all-cause mortality.
RESULTS
Among adults aged 25-44, accidental injuries with transport accidents, suicide, liver disease and cerebrovascular disease made relatively large contributions to socioeconomic inequalities in all-cause mortality, while, among adults aged 45-64, liver disease, cerebrovascular disease, transport accidents, liver cancer, and lung cancer did so. Ischemic heart disease, a very important contributor to socioeconomic mortality inequality in North America and Western Europe, showed a very low contribution (less than 3%) in both genders of Koreans.
CONCLUSIONS
Considering the contributions of different causes of death to absolute mortality inequalities, establishing effective strategies to reduce socioeconomic inequalities in mortality is warranted.

Keyword

Death causes; Mortality; Slope index of inequality; Socioeconomic factor; Socioeconomic inequalities

MeSH Terms

Adult
Age Factors
Cause of Death/*trends
Female
*Health Status Disparities
Humans
Income/statistics & numerical data
Male
Middle Aged
Mortality/trends
Poverty/statistics & numerical data
Republic of Korea/epidemiology
Risk Factors
Socioeconomic Factors
Time Factors