Economic Hardship and Educational Differentials in Disability in 26 European Countries. (October 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Cambois, Emmanuelle; Solé-Auró, Aïda; Robine, Jean-Marie
• Other Names: Chan Angelique guest-editor.; Saito Yasuhiko guest-editor.; Robine Jean-Marie guest-editor.
• Is Part Of: Journal of aging and health. Volume 28:Number 7(2016:Oct.)
• Page Start: 1214
• Page End: 1238
• Publication Date: 2016-10
• Subjects: disability -- SES differentials -- Europe -- inequality -- economic hardship; Older people -- Health and hygiene -- Periodicals; Geriatrics -- Periodicals; 618.97
• DOI: 10.1177/0898264316656503
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0898-2643

Abstract

Objective: The objective of this article is to study to what extent European variations in differentials in disability by education level are associated to variation in poverty.Method: Using the European Statistics on Income and Living Conditions (EU-SILC) for 26 countries, we measure the prevalence of activity limitation (AL) and the rate of economic hardship (EH) by level of education. We measure the increased AL prevalence ( disadvantage ) of the low-educated relative to the middle-educated and the reduced AL prevalence ( advantage ) of the high-educated groups, controlling or not for EH.Results: The rate of EH and the extent of the AL-advantage/disadvantage vary substantially across Europe. EH contributes to the AL-advantage/disadvantage but to different extent depending on its level across educational groups.Discussion: Associations between poverty, education, and disability are complex. In general, large EH goes along with increased disability differentials. Actions to reduce poverty are needed in Europe to reduce the levels and differentials in disability.