Gender Inequalities in Social and Family Differentials of Mortality within the Working-Age  Population?

Abstract

Differences in mortality between social categories are less marked for women than for men. An individuals mortality risk also varies according to their family situation and labour market status, which are correlated to social category. When these two factors are taken into account, differences according to professional position disappear for women, whereas they remain, albeit to a lesser extent, for men. Level of education remains an important factor, playing a predominant role for women and combining with social status for men. It is therefore more appropriate to analyze the social differentials of mortality for women according to their level of education rather than just their social category. The slightest variability of the mortality risk for women is not only observed between social categories. Unemployment and labour market inactivity not due to retirement are thus associated with excess mortality for both women and men, albeit to a lesser extent for women. Major life change events also have less of an effect on the mortality of women.Mortality, Gender, Social Differentials