Reducing socio-economic inequalities in all-cause mortality: a counterfactual mediation approach

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2020

Authors

Laine, JE (Author) Other; Baltar, VT (Author) Other; Stringhini, S (Author) Other; Gandini, M (Author) Other; Chadeau Hyam, M (Author) Other; Kivimaki, M (Author) Other; Severi, G (Author) Other; Perduca, V (Author) Other; Hodge, AM (Author) Other; Dugue, PA (Author) Other; Giles, GG (Author) Other; Milne, RL (Author) Other; Barros H (Author) FMUP; Sacerdote, C (Author) Other; Krogh, V (Author) Other; Panico, S (Author) Other; Tumino, R (Author) Other; Goldberg, M (Author) Other; Zins, M (Author) Other; Delpierre, C (Author) Other; Alenius, H (Author) Other; Vineis, P (Author) Other

Journal

Title: International Journal of Epidemiology

Vol. 49

Pages: 497-510

ISSN: 0300-5771

Publisher: Oxford University Press

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 4 Citations

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-00S-D1N

DOI: 10.1093/ije/dyz248

Abstract (EN): Background: Socio-economic inequalities in mortality are well established, yet the contribution of intermediate risk factors that may underlie these relationships remains unclear. We evaluated the role of multiple modifiable intermediate risk factors underlying socio-economic-associated mortality and quantified the potential impact of reducing early all-cause mortality by hypothetically altering socio-economic risk factors. Methods: Data were from seven cohort studies participating in the LIFEPATH Consortium (total n=179090). Using both socio-economic position (SEP) (based on occupation) and education, we estimated the natural direct effect on all-cause mortality and the natural indirect effect via the joint mediating role of smoking, alcohol intake, dietary patterns, physical activity, body mass index, hypertension, diabetes and coronary artery disease. Hazard ratios (HRs) were estimated, using counterfactual natural effect models under different hypothetical actions of either lower or higher SEP or education. Results: Lower SEP and education were associated with an increase in all-cause mortality within an average follow-up time of 17.5years. Mortality was reduced via modelled hypothetical actions of increasing SEP or education. Through higher education, the HR was 0.85 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.84, 0.86] for women and 0.71 (95% CI 0.70, 0.74) for men, compared with lower education. In addition, 34% and 38% of the effect was jointly mediated for women and men, respectively. The benefits from altering SEP were slightly more modest. Conclusions: These observational findings support policies to reduce mortality both through improving socio-economic circumstances and increasing education, and by altering intermediaries, such as lifestyle behaviours and morbidities.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 14