A distributional approach to measuring lifespan stratification

Area of Science:

• Sociology
• Demography
• Biostatistics

Background:

• Traditional mortality studies focus on average metrics like life expectancy.
• These metrics may not fully capture complex between-group differences in lifespan distributions.
• Sociological concept of stratification highlights hierarchical social strata.

Purpose of the Study:

• To apply a statistical distance metric, the non-overlap index, to quantify lifespan stratification.
• To analyze mortality differences and lifespan distribution inequalities in the Finnish population.
• To compare the non-overlap index with conventional mortality metrics.

Main Methods:

• Utilized the non-overlap index, a statistical distance metric.
• Analyzed Finnish population-wide registration data from 1996 to 2017.
• Examined lifespan stratification and life expectancy differences across income groups.

Main Results:

• Lifespan stratification and life expectancy differences between income groups increased from 1996 to 2008.
• Post-2008, life expectancy differences decreased, while stratification stagnated for men and increased for women.
• The non-overlap index revealed distinct patterns of mortality inequality missed by traditional measures.

Conclusions:

• The non-overlap index provides a novel way to assess mortality inequalities and social stratification.
• It uncovers a unique dimension of between-group differences in mortality.
• This metric enhances our understanding of complex population health disparities.