Educational differences in health expectancy in Madrid and Barcelona.

Educational differences in Health Expectancy (HE) among residents older than 24 years of age in Madrid and Barcelona are evaluated. Death records were linked to the 1991 Population Census and self-perceived health from the National Health Interview Survey was used. Differences between the higher and the lower educational groups in HE at 25 years were: 7.5 years in men and 5.58 years in women in Madrid and 9.5 years in men and 13.4 years in women in Barcelona. Since HE combines mortality and health status, results presented may have important implications for health policy.