Mayer, S., Berger, M. and Oberndorfer, M. (2023) Equal in ashes? Exploring socioeconomic inequalities in lifespan based on obituary data in Austria. SSM- Population Health, 24, 101550. (doi: 10.1016/j.ssmph.2023.101550)
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Abstract
Understanding the emergence of and changes in socioeconomic inequalities in lifespan requires reliable, longitudinal data. In the absence of administrative data, published obituaries may be one such alternative source. With the validity of drawing relevant data from obituaries not yet established in population health research, this study addresses this gap by estimating socioeconomic inequalities in lifespan in Vorarlberg, Austria. Data for all individuals (n = 1490) with obituaries published (July to December 2022) in a regional newspaper (market share: 56%) were extracted, including different markers of the deceased's socioeconomic status. Linear regression analyses showed that, on average, individuals with medium-sized obituaries lived 6.02 years (95% CI: 4.19, 7.85) and individuals with the largest obituaries 12.04 years (95% CI: 7.04, 17.04) longer than individuals with small obituaries while blue-collar workers lived 10.50 years (95% CI: -14.51, -6.49) shorter than individuals with no occupation (reported). This socioeconomic gradient is in line with findings based on national data sources, and comparisons with official regional data are promising regarding data representativeness and completeness. With obituary size reflecting different costs (€210–€1626) and thus being a novel marker for financial ability, obituaries could also be a useful, innovative data source internationally for historical analyses or “nowcasting” health inequalities.
| Item Type: | Articles |
|---|---|
| Additional Information: | This study did not receive any specific grant from any funding agencies. However, MO was supported by the European Research Council under the European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme (grant agreement No 101019329), the Strategic Research Council (SRC) within the Academy of Finland grants for ACElife (#352543–352572) and LIFECON (#308247), and grants to the Max Planck – University of Helsinki Center from the Jane and Aatos Erkko Foundation, the Max Planck Society, University of Helsinki, and Cities of Helsinki, Vantaa and Espoo. MO’s work was also supported by the Medical Research Council (MC_UU_00022/2) and the Scottish Government Chief Scientist Office (SPHSU17). |
| Status: | Published |
| Refereed: | Yes |
| Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: | Oberndorfer, Mr Moritz |
| Creator Roles: | Oberndorfer, M.Conceptualization, Formal analysis, Methodology, Validation, Visualization, Writing – review and editing |
| Authors: | Mayer, S., Berger, M., and Oberndorfer, M. |
| College/School: | College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Health & Wellbeing > MRC/CSO SPHSU |
| Journal Name: | SSM- Population Health |
| Publisher: | Elsevier |
| ISSN: | 2352-8273 |
| ISSN (Online): | 2352-8273 |
| Copyright Holders: | Copyright: © 2023 The Authors |
| First Published: | First published in SSM- Population Health 24: 101550 |
| Publisher Policy: | Reproduced under a Creative Commons licence |
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