Regional mortality differences are one dimension of health inequalities, but its trends and determinants in Germany are widely unknown. This book examines and illustrates patterns of regional mortality in Germany-with focus on small-area differentials-and their changes over time. It identifies explanatory factors at individual and regional level. Mortality differences between eastern and western Germany exist, but small-area mortality differentials are often greater. Though the main spatial mortality patterns remain, this study provides evidence that some distinct changes in the small-area mortality patterns in Germany-especially among women-occurred within a short period of time. Mortality inequalities at younger ages and in behavior-related causes as well as differences in socioeconomic conditions contribute strongly to regional mortality differences in Germany. The book shows that the complex interplay between individual- and regional-level mortality risk factors requires a multidimensional approach to reduce regional mortality inequalities.

Inhalt

Acknowledgements.- List of figures.- List of Tables.- 1: Introduction.- 2: Literature Review and Research Questions.- 3: Mortality Differentials across Germany's Federal States.- 4: Mortality Differentials across Germany's Districts.- 5: Determinants of Old-age Mortality and its Regional Variation.-6: Conclusion.- A: Mortality Differentials across Germany's Federal States.- B: Mortality Differentials across Germany's Districts.- C: Determinants of Old-age Mortality.- Abbreviations.- Bibliography.