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. 2009 Sep;64(5):625-34.
doi: 10.1093/geronb/gbp013. Epub 2009 Mar 23.

Why is the educational gradient of mortality steeper for men?

Jennifer Karas Montez  1 , Mark D Hayward, Dustin C Brown, Robert A Hummer
Affiliations

Why is the educational gradient of mortality steeper for men?

Jennifer Karas Montez et al. J Gerontol B Psychol Sci Soc Sci. 2009 Sep.

Abstract

Objectives: It is often documented that the educational gradient of mortality is steeper for men than for women; yet, the explanation remains a matter of debate. We examine gender differences in the gradients within the context of marriage to determine whether overall differences reflect gender differences in health behaviors or a greater influence of men's education on spousal health.

Methods: We used data from the 1986 through 1996 National Health Interview Survey Linked Mortality Files for non-Hispanic White adults aged 55-84 years at the time of survey. We estimated Cox proportional hazards models to examine the gradients (N = 180,208).

Results: The educational gradient of mortality is marginally steeper for men than for women when aggregating across marital statuses; yet, this reflects a steeper gradient among unmarried men, with low-educated never married men exhibiting high levels of mortality. The gradient among unmarried men is steeper than unmarried women for causes that share smoking as a major risk factor, supporting a behavioral explanation for differences in the gradient. No gender difference in the gradient is observed for married adults.

Discussion: Low education and unmarried status exert a synergistic effect on men's mortality. Unmarried, low-educated men may lack social supports that encourage positive health behaviors.

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Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
Educational gradients by gender and marital status. The log(hazard)s were estimated from Cox proportional hazards models stratified by marital status while controlling for age and education. Education categories are less than high school (
Figure 2.
Figure 2.
(a–d) Educational gradients among married adults using own education and three measures of household education.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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