Total mortality inequality in Scotland: the case for measuring lifespan variation

Seaman, Rosie (2017) Total mortality inequality in Scotland: the case for measuring lifespan variation. PhD thesis, University of Glasgow.

Abstract

Lifespan variation captures variation in age at death within a population as opposed to the inequality in average health that exists between populations. Higher lifespan variation equates to greater total inequality and is negatively correlated with life expectancy. Lifespan variation has not previously been measured for Scotland, where life expectancy and mortality rates are the worst in Western Europe. Routinely measuring lifespan variation in Scotland contributes to understanding the extent, and changing nature, of mortality inequalities.
Lifespan variation estimates were calculated using data from the Human Mortality Database and from Census population estimates, vital events data and the Carstairs Score. Analyses included joinpoint regression, Age-specific decomposition, Monte Carlo simulation, slope index of inequality, relative index of inequality, and Age-cause specific decomposition.
Males in Scotland experience the highest level of lifespan variation in Western Europe, increasing since the 1980s: the longest sustained increasing trend found in Western Europe. Increasing mortality rates across working adult ages account for Scotland’s diverging trend. This age pattern of mortality was not evident in England and Wales. Lifespan variation for males in the most deprived quintile was higher in 2011 than in 1981 and the socioeconomic gradient steepened. Premature deaths from external causes of death accounted for an increasing proportion of lifespan variation inequalities. Without tackling the root causes of social inequality Scotland may struggle to reduce total inequality and improve its lifespan variation ranking within Western Europe.

• Item Type: Thesis (PhD)
• Qualification Level: Doctoral
• Keywords: Mortality inequalities, lifespan variation, socioeconomic deprivation.
• Subjects: H Social Sciences > H Social Sciences (General)
• Colleges/Schools: College of Social Sciences
• Funder's Name: Medical Research Council (MRC)
• Supervisor's Name: Popham, Dr. Frank and Leyland, Professor Alastair
• Date of Award: 2017
• Depositing User: Rosie Seaman
• Unique ID: glathesis:2017-8318
• Copyright: Copyright of this thesis is held by the author.
• Date Deposited: 17 Oct 2017 15:36
• Last Modified: 03 Nov 2017 08:11
• URI: https://theses.gla.ac.uk/id/eprint/8318

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