Gender, Race/Ethnicity, and Trends in the U.S. Education-mortality Association

• In Event: 439 - Regular Session. Population Health

Abstract

Evidence suggest two alarming trends in U.S. mortality levels: (1) rising rates of mortality among some populations and (2) widening education gradients in mortality risk. Recent research, however, has cautioned that both sets of results may stem from biased estimates of mortality trends. Using the NHIS-LMF 1986-2004 data, we analyze cohort-based trends in the U.S. education-mortality association among Mexican American and non-Hispanic black and white men and women. Findings suggest that the education gradient in U.S. mortality risk is indeed growing wider across cohorts, but results also reveal a great deal of variation in this trend by gender and race/ethnicity. Implications for Fundamental Cause Theory are discussed.

Authors

• Ryan K. Masters, University of Colorado-Boulder

• Jason D. Boardman, University of Colorado

• Fernando Riosmena

• Heather D. Champeau, University of Texas at Arlington