title: The role of income and occupation in the association of education with healthy aging: results from a population-based, prospective cohort study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The beneficial effects of higher education on healthy aging are generally accepted, but the mechanisms are less well understood. Education may influence healthy aging through improved employment opportunities that enhance feelings of personal control and reduce hazardous exposures, or through higher incomes that enable individuals to access better health care or to reside in better neighbourhoods. Income and occupation have not been explored extensively as potential mediators of the effect of education on healthy aging. This study investigates the role of income and occupation in the association between education and healthy aging including potential effect modification by gender.
  
  
  METHODS
  Logistic regression was used to explore the association of education, income (perceived income adequacy, life satisfaction with finances) and occupation (occupational prestige) with healthy aging five years later in 946 community-dwelling adults 65+ years from a population-based, prospective cohort study in Manitoba, Canada.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Higher levels of education generally increased the likelihood of healthy aging. After adjusting for education, both income measures, but not occupation, predicted healthy aging among men; furthermore, the association between education and healthy aging was no longer significant. Income and occupation did not explain the significant association between education and healthy aging among women.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Perceived income adequacy and life satisfaction with finances explained the beneficial effects of higher education on healthy aging among men, but not women. Identifying predictors of healthy aging and the mechanisms through which these factors exert their effects can inform strategies to maximize the likelihood of healthy aging.
authors.affiliation: School of Public Health and Health Systems, University of Waterloo, 200 University Avenue West, Waterloo, ON, N2L 3G1, Canada. c5white@uwaterloo.ca.
authors.forename: Christine M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: White
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine and Centre on Aging, Section of Geriatric Medicine, University of Manitoba, 820 Sherbrook Street, Winnipeg, MB, R3A 1R9, Canada. PStJohn@exchange.hsc.mb.c.
authors.forename: Philip D
authors.initials: PD
authors.lastname: St John
authors.affiliation: School of Public Health and Health Systems, University of Waterloo, 200 University Avenue West, Waterloo, ON, N2L 3G1, Canada. mcheverie@uwaterloo.ca.
authors.forename: Madelon R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Cheverie
authors.affiliation: School of Public Health and Health Systems, University of Waterloo, 200 University Avenue West, Waterloo, ON, N2L 3G1, Canada. miranipa@uwaterloo.ca.
authors.forename: Maryam
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Iraniparast
authors.affiliation: School of Public Health and Health Systems, University of Waterloo, 200 University Avenue West, Waterloo, ON, N2L 3G1, Canada. styas@uwaterloo.ca.
authors.forename: Suzanne L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Tyas
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging / Q000523:psychology*; D002170:Canada; D004651:Employment; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007182:Income / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008350:Manitoba; D009790:Occupations / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D010549:Personal Satisfaction; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012737:Sex Factors; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors