US mortality by economic, demographic, and social characteristics: the National Longitudinal Mortality Study.
P D Sorlie,
E Backlund and
J B Keller
Epidemiology and Biometry Program, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA.
OBJECTIVES. A large US sample was used to estimate the effectsof race, employment status, income, education, occupation, maritalstatus, and household size on mortality. METHODS. Approximately530,000 persons 25 years of age or more were identified fromselected Current Population Surveys between 1979 and 1985. Theseindividuals were followed for mortality through use of the NationalDeath Index for the years 1979 through 1989. RESULTS. Highermortality was found in Blacks than in Whites less than 65 yearsof age; in persons not in the labor force, with lower incomes,with less education, and in service and other lower level occupations;and in persons not married and living alone. With occasionalexceptions, in specific sex and age groups, these relationshipswere reduced but remained strong and statistically significantwhen each variable was adjusted for all of the other characteristics.The relationships were generally weaker in individuals 65 yearsof age or more. CONCLUSIONS. Employment status, income, education,occupation, race, and marital status have substantial net associationswith mortality. This study identified segments of the populationin need of public health attention and demonstrated the importanceof including these variables in morbidity and mortality studies.
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