K R Smith1, N J Waitzman. 1. Department of Family and Consumer Studies, University of Utah, Salt Lake City 84112, USA.
Abstract
PURPOSE: The purpose of this paper is to consider whether the mortality risks associated with marital status are conditioned by the socioeconomic quality of neighborhoods. METHODS: The analysis is based on the first National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 1971-1974 (NHANES I), and the 1987 NHANES I Epidemiologic Followup Survey (NHEFS). Cox proportional hazards regressions were used to assess whether the effect of marital status on the risk of all-cause and cause-specific mortality is altered by local area poverty. Analyses are stratified by age, sex, and urbanicity. RESULTS: The interaction between neighborhood poverty and marital status is suggested for non-elderly men, particularly for cancer mortality and for men in urban areas. Interaction effects are evident among older women residing in urban areas. CONCLUSIONS: The absence of a spouse elevates the risk of mortality but this risk is moderately higher in impoverished neighborhoods, notably in urbanized areas, for non-elderly men and elderly women. Future studies with larger samples of non-married persons where marital status changes are incorporated are needed to improve our understanding of the joint mortality effects of local area poverty and marital status.
PURPOSE: The purpose of this paper is to consider whether the mortality risks associated with marital status are conditioned by the socioeconomic quality of neighborhoods. METHODS: The analysis is based on the first National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 1971-1974 (NHANES I), and the 1987 NHANES I Epidemiologic Followup Survey (NHEFS). Cox proportional hazards regressions were used to assess whether the effect of marital status on the risk of all-cause and cause-specific mortality is altered by local area poverty. Analyses are stratified by age, sex, and urbanicity. RESULTS: The interaction between neighborhood poverty and marital status is suggested for non-elderly men, particularly for cancer mortality and for men in urban areas. Interaction effects are evident among older women residing in urban areas. CONCLUSIONS: The absence of a spouse elevates the risk of mortality but this risk is moderately higher in impoverished neighborhoods, notably in urbanized areas, for non-elderly men and elderly women. Future studies with larger samples of non-married persons where marital status changes are incorporated are needed to improve our understanding of the joint mortality effects of local area poverty and marital status.
Entities:
Keywords:
Age Factors; Americas; Biology; Demographic Factors; Developed Countries; Economic Factors; Geographic Factors; Marital Status; Mortality; Mortality Determinants; Neighborhood; North America; Northern America; Nuptiality; Population; Population Characteristics; Population Dynamics; Poverty; Residence Characteristics; Risk Factors; Sex Factors; Socioeconomic Factors; Spatial Distribution; United States; Urban Population
Authors: Ken R Smith; Heidi A Hanson; Maria C Norton; Michael S Hollingshaus; Geraldine P Mineau Journal: Soc Sci Med Date: 2014-01-08 Impact factor: 4.634
Authors: Swann Arp Adams; Alexandria Fleming; Heather M Brandt; Deborah Hurley; Susan Bolick-Aldrich; Sharon M Bond; James R Hebert Journal: J S C Med Assoc Date: 2009-12