[Health inequalities in old age : Theoretical perspectives and methodological challenges]

While it has been long known that health inequalities persist until higher ages, less is known about the underlying mechanisms and health trajectories over the life course. This article gives an overview on recent developments regarding theoretical concepts and methodological considerations in this field of research. It can be concluded that studies on the explanation of the social gradient in health are scarce and even less is known about societal contexts that enable healthy aging irrespective of the socioeconomic position. The existing evidence on causal mechanisms and developments over the life course warrants cautious interpretation due to selective study samples and cross-sectional study designs.