Gender and Age Differences in Socio‐economic Inequalities in Total and Avoidable Mortality in Portugal: A Trend Analysis. (29th April 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Costa, Cláudia; Santana, Paula
• Editors: Cloyne, James; Dias, Monica Costa; Parey, Matthias; Ziliak, James P.
• Is Part Of: Fiscal studies. Volume 42:Number 1(2021)
• Page Start: 123
• Page End: 145
• Publication Date: 2021-04-29
• Subjects: age differences -- area‐level deprivation -- avoidable mortality -- gender differences -- health care -- mortality -- Portugal -- socio‐economic inequality; Finance, Public -- Periodicals; Fiscal policy -- Periodicals; Economic policy -- Periodicals; Finance, Public -- Great Britain -- Periodicals; 336.3
• DOI: 10.1111/1475-5890.12264
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0143-5671

Abstract

Abstract: The purpose of this paper is to analyse how socio‐economic inequalities in mortality (total and avoidable) evolved in Portugal from the 1990s onwards by looking at differences by gender, age group, poverty and cause of death. Results show that mortality in younger age groups is decreasing faster in the most deprived municipalities. Yet, avoidable deaths do not follow this pattern, particularly with respect to treatable mortality amenable to the health care services. Although total and avoidable mortality are decreasing across all age groups and both genders, decreases in treatable deaths during and after the 2011–14 economic crisis slowed down among the young, with a sharpening of socio‐economic inequalities in avoidable mortality among adults and the elderly. This provides evidence that, in some respects, focusing programmes on those living in poor circumstances has been successful over time. However, the impact of the Great Recession on health care services might have contributed to a significant increase in some treatable causes of death associated with these services.