[Socioeconomic differences in mortality in Rome, 1990-1995]

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Epidemiology
• Social Determinants of Health

Background:

• Lower socioeconomic status (SES) is linked to increased disease and mortality risks.
• Understanding SES-related health disparities is crucial for public health interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the relationship between SES and mortality in Rome (1990-1995).
• To examine changes in mortality differentials across SES groups between 1990-1992 and 1993-1995.

Main Methods:

• Utilized an area-based socioeconomic index derived from census tract characteristics.
• Compared cause-specific mortality rates across four SES categories for Rome's residents.
• Analyzed mortality data for 149,002 deaths over a six-year period.

Main Results:

• Men: Inverse association between total mortality and SES; higher mortality in lower SES groups for major causes, AIDS, and overdose (ages 15-44).
• Women: Positive association between lower SES and mortality for stomach cancer, uterus cancer, and cardiovascular disease; higher breast cancer mortality in higher SES groups.
• Mortality differences between SES groups widened from 1990-1992 to 1993-1995 for both sexes, with notable increases for tuberculosis, lung cancer, uterus cancer, traffic accidents, and overdose mortality.

Conclusions:

• Social class differences in mortality in Rome are increasing.
• Lifestyle changes, risk behaviors, and inequalities in healthcare access/quality may drive these widening disparities.
• Area-based SES indicators, despite limitations, highlight significant and growing health inequalities.