Socioeconomic Status and Mortality among the Elderly: Findings from Four US Communities

摘要: The effect of socioeconomic status (SES) on mortality was examined in the community-dwelling elderly. Data were obtained from four population-based studies that enrolled elderly residents US communities (East Boston, Massachusetts; New Haven, Connecticut; east-central Iowa; and Piedmont region North Carolina) followed them for 9 years, starting 1982 or 1986. Higher SES, whether measured by education, household income, occupational prestige, generally associated with lower mortality. However, pattern findings varied gender community. For men, all three SES indicators majority cohorts. women, this true only income. SES-mortality associations attenuated but not eliminated after adjustment behavior health status. stronger Haven Carolina than East Boston Iowa. latter are more homogeneous respect to ethnicity, urbanization, history former. Future research should investigate relative validity traditional measures men women develop balanced assessment methods. These also suggest it is important consider individual characteristics community attributes mediate modify pathways through which conditions may influence health.