Low socioeconomic status of the opposite sex is a risk factor for middle aged mortality.
OBJECTIVE
To examine the relations between subjective social status, and objective socioeconomic status (as measured by income and education) in relation to male/female middle aged mortality rates across 150 sub-regions in Hungary.


METHODS
Cross sectional, ecological analyses.


METHODS
150 sub-regions of Hungary.


METHODS
12,643 people were interviewed in the Hungaro-study 2002 survey, representing the Hungarian population according to sex, age, and sub-regions. Independent variables were subjective social status, personal income, and education.


METHODS
For ecological analyses, sex specific mortality rates were calculated for the middle aged population (45-64 years) in the 150 sub-regions of Hungary.


RESULTS
In ecological analyses, education and subjective social status of women were more significantly associated with middle aged male mortality, than were male education, male subjective social status, and income. Among the socioeconomic factors female education was the most important protective factor of male mid-aged mortality. Subjective social status of the opposite sex was significantly associated with mid-aged mortality, more among men than among women.


CONCLUSIONS
Pronounced sex interactions were found in the relations of education, subjective social status, and middle aged mortality rates. Men seem to be more vulnerable to the socioeconomic status of women than women to the effects of socioeconomic status of men. Subjective social status of women was an important predictor of mortality among middle aged men as was female education. The results suggest that improved socioeconomic status of women is protective for male health as well as for female health.
Kopp
Maria S
MS
Institute of Behavioural Sciences, Semmelweis University of Medicine, Hungary. kopmar@net.sote.hu
Skrabski
Arpád
A
Kawachi
Ichiro
I
Adler
Nancy E
NE
D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004522:Educational Status; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006814:Hungary / Q000453:epidemiology; D007182:Income; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009026:Mortality; D017678:Sex Distribution; D012923:Social Class; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors