Demographic Losses Related to Socio-Economic Inequalities in Adult Mortality in Lithuania: Evidence from Census-Linked Longitudinal Data

Domantas Jasilionis, Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research and Lithuanian Social Research Centre
Vlada Stankuniene, Lithuanian Social Research Centre
Dmitri A. Jdanov, Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research and New Economic School, Russia
Vladimir M. Shkolnikov, Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research and New Economic School, Russia

The current study presents a first comprehensive analysis of socio-economic differences in adult mortality in Lithuania using high quality census-linked longitudinal data covering entire adult population for the period 2001–2005. The study simultaneously uses three socioeconomic dimensions: education, economic activity status, and occupation. Socio-economic mortality differentials are assessed using both traditional range-type measures (Poisson regression mortality rate ratios) and advanced Gini-type measures accounting for both mortality in all socio-economic groups and group-specific population weights. The public health burden attributable to socioeconomic mortality differentials is measured using the method of cause-specific population attributable fractions. The study found that distinctive features of the Lithuanian pattern of socioeconomic mortality differentials concern higher magnitude of mortality differentials and strikingly unfavourable health situation of farmers and farm workers.