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[Mortality in Oslo by inequalities in occupational class]
Bjørgulf Claussen1, Øyvind Naess
1Institutt for allmenn- og samfunnsmedisin Universitet i Oslo Postboks 1130 Blindern 0317 Oslo. bjorgulf.claussen@samfunnsmed.uio.no
Summary
Social inequalities in mortality are evident in Oslo, Norway. Unskilled workers face significantly higher death rates compared to high-ranked employees, with patterns similar to Britain for men but less pronounced for women.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Epidemiology
- Sociology
Background:
- Limited data exists on social inequalities in mortality within Norway.
- The "Urban Health" project provides an opportunity to investigate these disparities in Oslo's population.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine social inequalities in mortality across occupational classes in Oslo.
- To compare mortality patterns in Oslo with those in England and Wales.
Main Methods:
- Utilized linked death records (1990-1994) and census data (1980) for Oslo inhabitants.
- Calculated death rates for individuals aged 50-69 across five occupational classes.
- Obtained comparable data from National Statistics for England and Wales.
Main Results:
- Unskilled workers exhibited substantially higher mortality rates: 1.60 times for women and 1.92 times for men, compared to high-ranked employees.
- A clear, stepwise mortality gradient was observed across intermediate occupational strata.
- Mortality patterns were steepest in age groups 35-69 for men and 50-69 for women.
Conclusions:
- Distinct social inequalities in mortality exist in Oslo.
- Mortality patterns for men in Oslo closely mirrored those in Britain.
- Social inequality in mortality was less pronounced for women in Oslo compared to Britain, warranting further investigation.