Socioeconomic disparities in life expectancy gains among retired German men, 1997-2016

No place for young women? The impact of internal migration on adult sex ratios in rural East Germany

Shortages of women in rural areas occur in many highly urbanized countries. Rural East Germany is an ideal case for studying this phenomenon because of its low adult sex ratio (ASR)-men greatly outnumber women-coupled with high outmigration among young adults. This study identifies how internal migration between rural and urban areas contributes to the shortage of young adult women. We use data on inter-county migration flows (for years 2002-21) to decompose the impacts of migration flows on ASRs. We find that the low ASRs in rural East Germany have been driven by sex-selective migration. In the early 2000s the main destination of sex-selective outflows was West Germany, while in the 2010s urban areas in East Germany were the key destinations. We find that moves among 18-24-year-olds increased the shortage of women in the rural population, whereas moves among 25-29-year-olds contributed to more balanced ASRs.

Age-specific and cause-specific mortality contributions to the socioeconomic gap in life expectancy in Germany, 2003-21: an ecological study

BACKGROUND

Earlier death among people in socioeconomically deprived circumstances has been found internationally and for various causes of death, resulting in a considerable life-expectancy gap between socioeconomic groups. We examined how age-specific and cause-specific mortality contributions to the socioeconomic gap in life expectancy have changed at the area level in Germany over time.

METHODS

In this ecological study, official German population and cause-of-death statistics provided by the Federal Statistical Office of Germany for the period Jan 1, 2003, to Dec 31, 2021, were linked to district-level data of the German Index of Socioeconomic Deprivation. Life-table and decomposition methods were applied to calculate life expectancy by area-level deprivation quintile and decompose the life-expectancy gap between the most and least deprived quintiles into age-specific and cause-specific mortality contributions.

FINDINGS

Over the study period, population numbers varied between 80 million and 83 million people per year, with the number of deaths ranging from 818 000 to 1 024 000, covering the entire German population. Between Jan 1, 2003, and Dec 31, 2019, the gap in life expectancy between the most and least deprived quintiles of districts increased by 0·7 years among females (from 1·1 to 1·8 years) and by 0·1 years among males (from 3·0 to 3·1 years). Thereafter, during the COVID-19 pandemic, the gap increased more rapidly to 2·2 years in females and 3·5 years in males in 2021. Between 2003 and 2021, the causes of death that contributed the most to the life-expectancy gap were cardiovascular diseases and cancer, with declining contributions of cardiovascular disease deaths among those aged 70 years and older and increasing contributions of cancer deaths among those aged 40-74 years over this period. COVID-19 mortality among individuals aged 45 years and older was the strongest contributor to the increase in life-expectancy gap after 2019.

INTERPRETATION

To reduce the socioeconomic gap in life expectancy, effective efforts are needed to prevent early deaths from cardiovascular disease and cancer in socioeconomically deprived populations, with cancer prevention and control becoming an increasingly important field of action in this respect.

FUNDING

German Cancer Aid and European Research Council.

[Socioeconomic deprivation and premature mortality in Germany, 1998-2021 : An ecological study with what-if scenarios of inequality reduction]

BACKGROUND

Earlier mortality in socioeconomically disadvantaged population groups represents an extreme manifestation of health inequity. This study examines the extent, time trends, and mitigation potentials of area-level socioeconomic inequalities in premature mortality in Germany.

METHODS

Nationwide data from official cause-of-death statistics were linked at the district level with official population data and the German Index of Socioeconomic Deprivation (GISD). Age-standardized mortality rates before the age of 75 were calculated stratified by sex and deprivation quintile. A what-if analysis with counterfactual scenarios was applied to calculate how much lower premature mortality would be overall if socioeconomic mortality inequalities were reduced.

RESULTS

Men and women in the highest deprivation quintile had a 43% and 33% higher risk of premature death, respectively, than those in the lowest deprivation quintile of the same age. Higher mortality rates with increasing deprivation were found for cardiovascular and cancer mortality, but also for other causes of death. Socioeconomic mortality inequalities had started to increase before the COVID-19 pandemic and further exacerbated in the first years of the pandemic. If all regions had the same mortality rate as those in the lowest deprivation quintile, premature mortality would be 13% lower overall.

DISCUSSION

The widening gap in premature mortality between deprived and affluent regions emphasizes that creating equivalent living conditions across Germany is also an important field of action for reducing health inequity.

[Decentralized Health Promotion in Nuremberg according to the Prevention Bill: Assessment of results and experiences of the project "Health for Everyone in the District"]

BACKGROUND

The project "Health for Everyone in the District" was implemented in Nuremberg from May 2017 to October 2022 as part of the law passed to strengthen health promotion and disease prevention with funding from Public Health Insurance, Bavaria. The aim was to implement health promotion measures through a decentralized system in four deprived parts of the city and thus promote health equity on site. Among other aspects, program loyalty, project scope, and acceptance, as well as continuity and establishment of permanent structures underwent external assessment.

METHOD

As part of the evaluation, quantitative data from the paper-and-pencil feedback forms of the measures (n=580), four qualitative focus group interviews with participants of the project (n=20), and an in-depth partially standardized predominantly quantitative online survey of participants and course instructors from the districts (n=67) were conducted.

RESULTS

The programs were accepted by those most in need, namely women, elderly people and those with a migration background. Women, senior citizens and people with a migration background were well reached by the measures. The very high level of satisfaction with the measures showed that there were opportunities for implementation of health promotion measures into daily life taking into consideration the local environment and deprived target groups. The specifications of the guidelines for prevention, however, represented a hurdle for the long-term establishment of the measures in these districts.

CONCLUSION

The project "Health for Everyone in the District " represents a local low-threshold approach to social situation-related health promotion in the municipal setting and is suitable for reaching deprived target groups with health-promoting measures. Adjustments to the guidelines for prevention could help create permanent structures on a broader scale.

Regional outcome disparities in German head and neck cancer patients: Shorter survival in Eastern Germany

INTRODUCTION

Demographics are important prognostic factors in malignant diseases. A nationwide analysis concerning the prognostic impact of demographics in head and neck cancer (HNC) patients (HNCP) has not been performed previously.

METHODS

A retrospective analysis of data from the Center for Cancer Registry Data (ZfKD) and the Federal Statistical Office (Destatis) between 2002 and 2017 was performed. A total of 212'920 HNCP were included. Incidence, tumor stage, age development, sex distribution, age-, residence-, and diagnosis-time-specific survival were examined.

RESULTS

Mean age of HNCP increased more rapidly than in the general population (slope coefficient: 0.29 vs. 0.20; p < 0.0001). Higher age and male sex were associated with a worse prognosis. Whereas overall survival (OS) increased from the early to the later observation period for HNCP <70 years, no OS improvement for HNCP >70 years was found. Furthermore, an OS disadvantage was observed for East Germany compared to West Germany (median 47 vs. 60 months; p < 0.0001). This disparity was associated with a disproportionately high ratio of men in East Germany (men/women: 4.4 vs. 3.1; p < 0.0001) and a lower mean age (61 vs. 63 years; p < 0.0001). In addition to stage, age and sex, residence in East Germany were confirmed as an independent factor for OS in a multivariate analysis.

CONCLUSION

Finally, three decades after the German reunion, a survival disadvantage for patients in East Germany still exists. This discrepancy may be a result of socioeconomic disparities.

The underwhelming German life expectancy

This article contributes to the discussion on the determinants of diverging life expectancy in high-income countries, with a focus on Germany. To date, much of this discourse has centered around the social determinants of health, issues of healthcare equity, poverty and income inequality, and new epidemics of opioids and violence. Yet despite doing well on all of these metrics and having numerous advantages such as comparatively strong economic performance, generous social security, and an equitable and well-resourced health care system, Germany has been a long-time life expectancy laggard among the high-income countries. Using aggregated population-level mortality data for Germany and selected six high-income countries (Switzerland, France, Japan, Spain, the United Kingdom, and the United States) from the Human Mortality Database and WHO Mortality Database, we find that the German longevity shortfall is mainly explained by a longstanding disadvantage in survival among older adults and adults nearing statutory retirement age, which mainly stems from sustained excess cardiovascular disease mortality, even when compared to other laggard countries such as the US and the UK. Patchy contextual data suggests that the unfavorable pattern of cardiovascular mortality may be driven by underperforming primary care and disease prevention. More systematic and representative data on risk factors are needed to strengthen the evidence base on the determinants of the controversial and long-standing health gap between more successful countries and Germany. The German example calls for broader narratives of population health that embed the variety of epidemiological challenges populations face around the globe.

Trends in cancer-free working life expectancy based on health insurance data from Germany-Is the increase as strong as in working life expectancy?

BACKGROUND

Against the backdrop of population ageing, governments are facing the need to raise the statutory retirement age. In this context, the question arises whether these extra years added to working life would be spent in good health. As cancer represents a main contributor to premature retirement this study focuses on time trends and educational inequalities in cancer-free working life expectancy (WLE).

METHODS

The analyses are based on the data of a large German health insurer covering annually about 2 million individuals. Cancer-free WLE is calculated based on multistate life tables and reported for three periods: 2006-2008, 2011-2013, and 2016-2018. Educational inequalities in 2011-2013 were assessed by two educational levels (8 to 11 years and 12 to 13 years of schooling).

RESULTS

While labour force participation increased, cancer incidence rates decreased over time. Cancer-free WLE at age 18 increased by 2.5 years in men and 6.3 years in women (age 50: 1.3 years in men, 2.4 years in women) between the first and third period while increases in WLE after a cancer diagnosis remained limited. Furthermore, educational inequalities are substantial, with lower groups having lower cancer-free WLE. The proportion of cancer-free WLE in total WLE remained constant in women and younger men, while it decreased in men at higher working age.

CONCLUSION

The increase in WLE is accompanied by an increase in cancer-free WLE. However, the subgroups considered have not benefitted equally from this positive development. Among men at higher working age, WLE increased at a faster pace than cancer-free WLE. Particular attention should be paid to individuals with lower education and older men, as the general level and time trends in cancer-free WLE are less favourable.

Different health systems - Different mortality outcomes? Regional disparities in avoidable mortality across German-speaking Europe, 1992-2019

BACKGROUND

Evaluating the impact of health systems on premature mortality across different countries is a very challenging task, as it is hardly possible to disentangle it from the influence of contextual factors such as cultural differences. In this respect, the German-speaking area in Central Europe (Austria, Germany, South Tyrol and large parts of Switzerland) represents a unique 'natural experiment' setting: While being exposed to different health policies, they share a similar culture and language.

METHODS

To assess the impact of different health systems on mortality differentials across the German-speaking area, we relied on the concept of avoidable mortality. Based on official mortality statistics, we aggregated causes of death below age 75 that are either 1) amenable to health care or 2) avoidable through primary prevention. We calculated standardised death rates and constructed cause-deleted life tables for 9 Austrian, 96 German, 1 Italian and 5 Swiss regions from 1992 to 2019, harmonised according to the current territorial borders.

RESULTS

There are strong north-south and east-west gradients in amenable and preventable mortality across the studied regions to the advantage of the southwest. However, the Swiss regions still show significantly lower mortality levels than the neighbouring regions in southern Germany. Eliminating avoidable deaths from the life tables reduces spatial inequality in life expectancy in 2017/2019 by 30% for men and 28% for women.

CONCLUSIONS

The efficiency of health policies in assuring timely and adequate health care and in preventing risk-relevant behaviour has room for improvement in all German regions, especially in the north, west and east, and in eastern Austria as well.

Educational Differences in Life Expectancies With and Without Pain

OBJECTIVES

This study computes years and proportion of life that older adults living in the United States can expect to live pain-free and in different pain states, by age, sex, and level of education. The analysis addresses challenges related to dynamics and mortality selection when studying associations between education and pain in older populations.

METHODS

Data are from National Health and Aging Trends Study, 2011-2020. The sample contains 10,180 respondents who are age 65 and older. Pain expectancy estimates are computed using the Interpolated Markov Chain software that applies probability transitions to multistate life tables.

RESULTS

Those with higher educational levels expect not only a longer life but also a higher proportion of life without pain. For example, a 65-year-old female with less than high school education expects 18.1 years in total and 5.8 years, or 32% of life, without pain compared with 23.7 years in total with 10.7 years, or 45% of life without pain if she completed college. The education gradient in pain expectancies is more salient for females than males and narrows at the oldest ages. There is no educational disparity in the percent of life with nonlimiting pain.

DISCUSSION

Education promotes longer life and more pain-free years, but the specific degree of improvement by education varies across demographic groups. More research is needed to explain associations between education and more and less severe and limiting aspects of pain.

Prevalence and Predictors of Affirmations of Intimate Partner Violence in Germany: A First Nationwide Study on Victimization in Women and Men

Large-size studies on the prevalence of female intimate partner violence (IPV) victimization in Germany are rare and partly outdated; representative data on male IPV victimization are lacking altogether. The present survey addresses these gaps. For this study, the instrument of the WHO Multi-country study on women's health and domestic violence has been translated to German and adapted to be used with females and males. A random route procedure in selecting household addresses has been used to gather data on IPV in combination with an omnibus survey on (mental) health issues. A total 2,503 respondents with a minimum age of 14 years have participated (response rate=44.1%). The resulting distribution of age and gender was representative for the German population above the age of 14 years. A total of 57.6% of female participants and 50.8% of male participants have reported victimization by intimate partners during their lifespan; gender distribution differs significantly (Chi²=43.43; p<0.001). Out of the different documented subtypes, psychological IPV was most prevalent (53.6% in females, 48.0% in males). Other forms ranged between 15.2% (physical IPV) and 18.6% (sexual IPV) for females, and 5.5% (sexual IPV) and 10.8% (physical IPV) for males. All forms of victimization regularly coincided, both in females and males. Experiencing any IPV was not only significantly associated with female gender, but also with older age, periods of unemployment, poverty, and IPV perpetration. The findings highlight the still much needed global efforts to prevent IPV against women - and in general. They further support previous research in underlining that fighting poverty might also be instrumental in reducing the likelihood of IPV. The discussion further addresses the issues of reciprocity in IPV.

Residential Area Socioeconomic Deprivation is Associated with Physical Dependency and Polypharmacy in Community-Dwelling Older Adults: An Analysis of Health Administrative Data in Ireland

Introduction

Socioeconomic disadvantage is associated with multiple adverse health outcomes in ageing. Whether this negative impact persists in populations of more advanced age and dependency is less clear. We aimed to determine the association between residential area deprivation and pre-specified health characteristics among community-dwelling dependent older adults.

Methods

We conducted a cross-sectional analysis of data from 1591 community-dwelling adults aged 65 years and older of mean age 83.9 ± 7.1 years and in receipt of state home support in Ireland. The HP Pobal Deprivation Index was used to categorize residential areas by socioeconomic deprivation. Health variables analysed included physical dependency (Barthel Index), polypharmacy (≥5 medications), previous acute hospital admission, cognitive impairment, and mental health diagnoses. Associations between residential area deprivation and prespecified health outcomes were explored in multivariable logistic regression analysis.

Results

In socioeconomically disadvantaged areas, high physical dependency was twice that observed in affluent areas (16.2% vs 6.9%, p = 0.009). Similarly, acute hospitalization, as the trigger for increased dependency, was more common in deprived settings (41.6% v 29.1%, p < 0.001). Polypharmacy was common in this population (67.6%), but significantly higher in deprived vs affluent settings (74.7% v 64.5%, p = 0.030). The findings persisted in multivariable analyses when adjusted for age and gender. While all participants were accessing home support, those in deprived areas were on average 6.5 years younger than in affluent areas. Associations between residential deprivation and mental health conditions or cognitive impairment, however, were not observed in this study.

Conclusion

Community-dwelling older adults living in socioeconomically disadvantaged areas experienced greater polypharmacy, high physical dependency, hospitalization-associated dependency, and a 6.5-year earlier need for state home support than in affluent settings. The findings suggest that health inequality persists in populations of more advanced age and dependency and highlight a need for further research as well as community-based health and social care initiatives.

Mortality and life expectancy trends in Spain by pension income level for male pensioners in the general regime retiring at the statutory age, 2005-2018

Background

Research has generally found a significant inverse relationship in mortality risk across socioeconomic (SE) groups. This paper focuses on Spain, a country for which there continues to be very little evidence available concerning retirement pensioners. We draw on the Continuous Sample of Working Lives (CSWL) to investigate disparities in SE mortality among retired men aged 65 and above over the longest possible period covered by this data source: 2005–2018. We use the initial pension income (PI) level as our single indicator of the SE status of the retired population.

Methods

The mortality gradient by income is quantified in two ways: via an indicator referred to as “relative mortality”, and by estimating changes in total life expectancy (LE) by PI level at ages 65 and 75 over time. We show that, should the information provided by the relative mortality ratio not be completely clear, a second indicator needs to be introduced to give a broad picture of the true extent of inequality in mortality.

Results

The first indicator reveals that, for the period covered and for all age groups, the differences in death rates across PI levels widens over time. At older age groups, these differences across PI levels diminish. The second indicator shows that disparities in LE at ages 65 and 75 between pensioners in the lowest and highest income groups are relatively small, although slightly higher than previously reported for Spain. This gap in LE widens over time, from 1.49 to 2.54 years and from 0.71 to 1.40 years respectively for pensioners aged 65 and 75. These differences are statistically significant.

Conclusions

Along with other behavioral and structural aspects, a combination of factors such as the design of the pension system, the universality and quality of the health system, and high levels of family support could explain why LE inequalities for retired Spanish men are relatively small. To establish the reasons for this increased inequality in LE, more research needs to be carried out. An analysis of all Spanish social security records instead of just a sample would provide us with more information.

Time Trends and Income Inequalities in Cancer Incidence and Cancer-Free Life Expectancy - a Cancer Site-Specific Analysis of German Health Insurance Data

Cancer represents a major burden of morbidity and mortality globally. So far, however, little is known on time trends and inequalities in the lengths of life spent free of any cancer. This study steps into this gap by analyzing time trends and income inequalities in cancer-free life expectancy (CFLE). For this retrospective cohort study, data of a large German health insurer were used (N = 3,405,673individuals, 2006-2018). Income inequalities were assessed using individual income (<60% of German average income (GAI) and ≥60% of GAI). Trends in incidence risks were analysed employing proportional-hazard regression models by splitting the observation time into three periods of 52 months. Trends in CFLE in total and for the most common site-specific cancers were calculated based on multiple decrement life tables. Incidence rates declined in almost all cancers and CFLE increased substantially over time (49.1 (95% CI 48.8-49.4) to 51.9 (95% CI 51.6-52.2) years for men, 53.1 (95% CI 52.7-53.5) to 55.4 (95% CI 55.1-55.8) years for women at age 20 for total cancer) and income groups. Considerable income inequalities in cancer risks were evident in both sexes, but were more pronounced in men (total cancer HR 0.86 (95% CI 0.85-0.87)), with higher-income individuals having lower risks. The highest income inequalities were found in colon (HR 0.90 (95% CI 0.87-0.93)), stomach (HR 0.78 (95% CI 0.73-0.84)), and lung cancer (HR 0.58 (95% CI 0.56-0.60)) in men. A reverse gradient was found for skin (HR 1.39 (95% CI 1.30-1.47) men; HR 1.27 (95% CI 1.20-1.35) women) and prostate cancer (HR 1.13 (95% CI 1.11-1.15)). The proportion of CFLE in total life expectancy declined for lung, skin and cervical cancer in women, indicating a relative shortening of lifetime spent cancer-free. In contrast, increasing proportions were found in breast and prostate cancer. To our knowledge, this is the first study analysing trends and income inequalities in CFLE. The life span free of cancer increased clearly over time. However, not all cancer types contributed equally to this positive development. Income inequalities persisted or tended to widen, which underlines the need for increased public health efforts in socioeconomically vulnerable groups.

Prevalence and Reasons for the Absence of Vaginal Intercourse in Chinese Middle-Aged and Elderly Men

INTRODUCTION

As the global population ages, research on the health of middle-aged and elderly men has intensified.

AIM

To report a paucity of data on the prevalence, etiology, and risk factors associated with lack of vaginal intercourse in middle-aged and elderly Chinese men.

METHODS

Between January, 2018, and May, 2020, 6,096 men aged 40-90 years old who reside in mainland China were included in the community-based study. Validated scales related to erectile dysfunction (EHS and IIEF-5) and late-onset hypogonadism (ADAM and AMS), and in-person interview method were used to collect data. Multivariable analysis was performed to examine the risk factors associated with the absence of intercourse.

OUTCOMES

Prevalence estimate of no current vaginal intercourse and its associations with basic factors and medical comorbidities. Reasons for no current vaginal intercourse.

RESULTS

The prevalence of intercourse absence was 19.8% (95% CI; 18.8-20.8%) in middle-aged and elderly Chinese males, and this proportion was significantly higher in older age groups (8.6%, 11.5%, 24.1%, and 34.2% for men aged 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, and 70-90, respectively; P < .05). Among the men who attributed the lack of intercourse to themselves, 168 (21.4%, 95% CI; 18.7-24.4%) had erectile problems and were apprehensive about erectile failure during intercourse. Strained spousal relationships (35 men, 8.4%, 95% CI; 6.1-11.4%), marital issues (163 men, 39%, 95% CI; 34.4--43.8%), and poor health of the partner (179 men, 42.8%, 95% CI; 38.2-47.6%) were described as reasons for lack of intercourse with spouses. Same risk factors were also found in the multivariate analysis.

CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS

Modifiable factors that are related to lack of intercourse may be beneficial to Chinese middle-aged and elderly men.

STRENGTH & LIMITATIONS

The main strength of the study is that it involved real-world settings. The limitations are as follows. Firstly, psychological data, data on sexual frequency and data regarding types of sex other than vaginal intercourse were not recorded. Secondly, this is a cross-sectional study, from which definite or causative conclusions can't be drawn. Thirdly, the spouses of the participants were not included in the study, and hence the data represent the perceptions of males only. Finally, objective data are required.

CONCLUSION

Modifiable factors related to both the patients and their partners were associated with an increased rate of no intercourse in Chinese middle-aged and elderly men. Guidance for sexual life may benefit men with an absence of intercourse. Future studies are warranted to reexamine our findings. Lu Y, Zhang J, Ma C, et al. Prevalence and Reasons for the Absence of Vaginal Intercourse in Chinese Middle-Aged and Elderly Men. Sex Med 2022;10:100511.

Refashioning the uneasy relationship between older people and geriatric medicine

A notable feature of most medical specialties is close joint working between patient advocacy groups and specialist societies in furthering improvements in policy and services. While growing old is not a disease, nor too is being a child, and the engagement of advocacy and international bodies such as UNICEF with paediatricians is well established and recognised. Yet almost eight decades after the founding of geriatric medicine, it is clear that this type of relationship does not hold for the advocacy bodies representing those we serve, as well as the wider constituency of older people. Geriatricians are an extraordinary resourceful and imaginative group, and a more effective promotion of our role as guardians of the longevity dividend is vital to a more positive and mutually beneficial relationship with older people and society. This will require a redirection of our focus to a more critical stance on our origins as a discipline, our relationship with ageing across the lifespan and with older people and a fuller engagement with the broader concepts of gerontology in training and research to develop a refreshed articulacy for, the opportunities arising from gerontologically attuned healthcare.

On assessing excess mortality in Germany during the COVID-19 pandemic

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is associated with a very high number of casualties in the general population. Assessing the exact magnitude of this number is a non-trivial problem, as relying only on officially reported COVID-19 associated fatalities runs the risk of incurring in several kinds of biases. One of the ways to approach the issue is to compare overall mortality during the pandemic with expected mortality computed using the observed mortality figures of previous years. In this paper, we build on existing methodology and propose two ways to compute expected as well as excess mortality, namely at the weekly and at the yearly level. Particular focus is put on the role of age, which plays a central part in both COVID-19-associated and overall mortality. We illustrate our methods by making use of age-stratified mortality data from the years 2016 to 2020 in Germany to compute age group-specific excess mortality during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.

Differences in Life Expectancy Between Self-Employed Workers and Paid Employees when Retirement Pensioners: Evidence from Spanish Social Security Records

The aim of this paper is to examine differences in life expectancy (LE) between self-employed (SE) and paid employee (PE) workers when they become retirement pensioners, looking at levels of pension income using administrative data from Spanish social security records. We draw on the Continuous Sample of Working Lives (CSWL) to quantify changes in total life expectancy at age 65 (LE₆₅) among retired men over the longest possible period covered by this data source: 2005-2018. These changes are broken down by pension regime and initial pension income level for three periods. The literature presents mixed evidence, even for the same country-for Japan and Italy, for example-with some studies pointing to higher life expectancy for SE than for PE retirement pensioners while others argue the opposite. In Spain, LE₆₅ is slightly higher for the SE than for PE workers when retirement pensioners. For 2005-2010, a gap in life expectancy of 0.23 years between SE and PE retirement pensioners is observed. This widens to 0.55 years for 2014-2018. A similar trend can be seen if pension income groups are considered. For 2005-2010, the gap in LE₆₅ between pensioners in the lowest and highest income groups is 1.20 years. This widens over time and reaches 1.51 years for 2014-2018. Although these differences are relatively small, they are statistically significant. According to our research, the implications for policy on social security are evident: differences in life expectancy by socioeconomic status and pension regime should be taken into account for a variety of issues involving social security schemes. These include establishing the age of eligibility for retirement pensions and early access to benefits, computing the annuity factors used to determine initial retirement benefits and valuing the liabilities taken on for retirement pensioners.

Declining regional disparities in mortality in the context of persisting large inequalities in economic conditions: the case of Germany

BACKGROUND

Subnational regional mortality inequalities are large and appear to be mostly increasing within industrialized countries, although comparative studies across high-income countries are scarce. Germany is an important country to examine because it continues to experience considerable economic disparities between its federal states, in part resulting from its former division.

METHODS

We analyse state-level mortality in Germany utilizing data from a newly constructed regional database based on the methodology of the Human Mortality Database. We compare time trends (1991-2015) in the German state-level standard deviation in life expectancy to that of other large, wealthy countries and examine the association between mortality and economic inequalities at the regional level. Finally, using contour-decomposition methods, we investigate the degree to which age patterns of mortality are converging across German federal states.

RESULTS

Regional inequalities in life expectancy in Germany are comparatively low internationally, particularly among women, despite high state-level inequalities in economic conditions. These low regional mortality inequalities emerged 5-10 years after reunification. Mortality is converging over most ages between the longest- and shortest-living German state populations and across the former East-West political border, with the exception of an emerging East-West divergence in mortality among working-aged men.

CONCLUSIONS

The German example shows that large regional economic inequalities are not necessarily paralleled with large regional mortality disparities. Future research should investigate the factors that fostered the emergence of this unusual pattern in Germany.

[30 years of German unification: achievements and remaining differences in mortality trends by age and cause of death]

BACKGROUND

During the German division, two culturally very similar populations were exposed to very disparate socioeconomic conditions, which converged again after 1989. The impact of healthcare and life circumstances on mortality differences can better be estimated when cultural explanations are widely neglectable.

OBJECTIVES

For the first time, we analyse harmonised cause-of-death data explicitly by age. Hereby, we can show which ages or birth cohorts were particularly affected by German division and reunification in their mortality and to which causes of death this is attributable.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We harmonised the German cause-of-death statistics by applying an internationally standardised harmonisation process to account for differences and breaks in cause-of-death coding practices. We analysed the data using decomposition methods.

RESULTS

During the 1980s, east-west disparities were increasing as progress in the reduction of cardiovascular mortality was much stronger in West Germany, notably at older ages. After 1989, East Germany was able to catch up to the west in many areas. This is especially true for elderly persons and women, while east-west disparities are still visible today, particularly among male adult cohorts (1950-1970) strongly affected by the East German transition crisis.

CONCLUSIONS

The lower life expectancy of the East German population in the late 1980s was primarily caused by a slower pace of the cardiovascular revolution. The remaining present-day disparities are rather an aftermath of the East German transition crisis than direct aftereffects of the division.

Social inequalities in mild and severe myocardial infarction: how large is the gap in health expectancies?

BACKGROUND

Acute myocardial infarction (MI) remains a frequent health event and a major contributor to long-term impairments globally. So far, research on social inequalities in MI incidence and mortality with respect to MI severity is limited. Furthermore, evidence is lacking on disparities in the length of life affected by MI. This study investigates social inequalities in MI incidence and mortality as well as in life years free of MI and affected by the consequences of mild or severe MI.

METHODS

The study is based on data of a large German statutory health insurance provider covering the years 2008 to 2017 (N = 1,253,083). Income inequalities in MI incidence and mortality risks and in life years with mild or severe MI and without MI were analysed using multistate analyses. The assessment of MI severity is based on diagnosed heart failure causing physical limitations.

RESULTS

During the study period a total of 39,832 mild MI, 22,844 severe MI, 276,582 deaths without MI, 15,120 deaths after mild MI and 16,495 deaths after severe MI occurred. Clear inequalities were found in MI incidence and mortality, which were strongest among men and in severe MI incidence. Moreover, substantial inequalities were found in life years free of MI in both genders to the disadvantage of those with low incomes and increased life years after mild MI in men with higher incomes. Life years after severe MI were similar across income groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Social inequalities in MI incidence and mortality risks led to clear disparities in the length of life free of MI with men with low incomes being most disadvantaged. Our findings stress the importance of primary and secondary prevention focusing especially on socially disadvantaged groups.

Compression, expansion, or maybe both? Growing inequalities in lung cancer in Germany

BACKGROUND

Lung Cancer (LC) is one of the most common malign diseases worldwide. So far, it is unclear if the development of LC incidence and mortality leads to morbidity compression or expansion and whether these developments differ by socioeconomic characteristics. This study analyses time trends in social and gender inequalities in life years with and without LC in Germany.

METHODS

The study is based on data of a large German statutory health insurance provider (N = 2,511,790). Incidence and mortality risks were estimated from multistate survival models. Trends in life years with and without LC were analysed using multistate life table analyses. All analyses were performed separately for gender, time period (2006-2009 and 2014-2017), and income group (<60% and ≥60% of the German average income).

RESULTS

Among men, declining LC incidence rates resulted in gains of life years free of LC and declining LC- affected life years and led to a relative compression, which was strongest in men with higher incomes. Among women, a clear increase in life years with LC led to an expansion of the lifespan affected by LC. This expansion was mainly driven by increasing incidence rates in women with low incomes. Overall, income inequalities in LC increased in both genders.

CONCLUSIONS

Our analyses reveal that developments in the length of life affected by LC differed substantially by gender and income and led to widening health inequalities over time. Public health efforts should mainly focus on vulnerable groups to reduce the persisting social inequalities in LC.

District-Level Life Expectancy in Germany

BACKGROUND

Identifying regions with low life expectancy is important to policy makers, in particular for allocating resources in the health system. Life expectancy estimates for small regions are, however, often unreliable and lead to statistical uncertainties when the underlying populations are relatively small.

METHODS

We combine the most recent German data available (2015-2017) with a Bayesian model that includes several methodological advances. This allows us to estimate male and female life expectancy with good precision for all 402 German districts and to quantify the uncertainty of those estimates.

RESULTS

Across districts, life expectancy varies between 75.8 and 81.2 years for men and from 81.8 to 85.7 years for women. The spatial pattern is similar for women and men. Rural districts in eastern Germany and some districts of the Ruhr region have relatively low life expectancy. Districts with relatively high life expectancies cluster in Baden-Wuerttemberg and southern Bavaria. Exploratory analysis shows that average income, population density, and number of physicians per 100 000 inhabitants are not strongly correlated with life expectancy at district level. In contrast, indicators that point to particularly disadvantaged segments of the population (unemployment rate, welfare benefits) are better predictors of life expectancy.

CONCLUSIONS

We do not find a consistent urban-rural gap in life expectancy. Our results suggest that policies that improve living standards for poorer segment of the population are the most likely to reduce the existing differences in life expectancy.

Socioeconomic differences in mortality among 27 million economically active Germans: a cross-sectional analysis of the German Pension Fund data

OBJECTIVES

To assess disparities in mortality by socioeconomic status in Germany.

DESIGN AND PARTICIPANTS

We analyse a large administrative dataset of the German Pension Fund (DRV), including 27 million person-years of exposure and 42 000 deaths in 2013. The data cover the economically active population, stratified by sex and by East and West.

OUTCOME MEASURES

Age-standardised mortality rates and Poisson regression mortality rate ratios (MRRs).

RESULTS

The risk of dying increases with decreasing income: the MRRs of the lowest to the highest income quintile are 4.66 (95% CI 4.48 to 4.85) among men and 3.06 (95% CI 2.90 to 3.23) among women. The impact of income attenuates after controlling for education and other explanatory variables, especially for females. In the fully controlled model for females, individual income is a weaker predictor of mortality, but there is a clear educational mortality gradient. In the fully controlled model, the MRRs of the unemployed to the employed are 2.09 (95% CI 2.03 to 2.15) among men and 2.01 (95% CI 1.92 to 2.10) among women. The risk of dying is around half as high among foreigners as among German citizens. The socioeconomic disparities are greater among East than West German men.

CONCLUSIONS

Low socioeconomic status is a major determinant of excess adult mortality in Germany. The persisting East-West differences in male adult mortality can be explained by the higher socioeconomic status of men living in the West, rather than by contextual differences between East and West. These differences can be further monitored using DRV data.