title: How have trends in lifespan variation changed since 1950? A comparative study of 17 Western European countries.
abstract: Lifespan variation adds to life expectancy by measuring the inequality surrounding age of death that a population faces. Countries that tackle premature mortality generally have decreasing lifespan variation but this is the first study to compare and statistically assess when and to what extent trends in lifespan variation have changed across Western Europe. Lifespan variation was measured using e† and joinpoint regression analysed the timing and rate of change. Trends have been mostly downward with the recent exception of men in Scotland, Northern Ireland, Ireland and Finland where trends have flattened or show slight increases. Future research aimed at identifying the ages and causes of death, driving trends in these countries, is key to preventing increasing inequalities.
authors.affiliation: 1 MRC/CSO Social and Public Health Sciences Unit, University of Glasgow, 200, Renfield Street, Glasgow G2 3QB, UK r.seaman@sphsu.mrc.ac.uk.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Seaman
authors.affiliation: 1 MRC/CSO Social and Public Health Sciences Unit, University of Glasgow, 200, Renfield Street, Glasgow G2 3QB, UK.
authors.forename: A H
authors.initials: AH
authors.lastname: Leyland
authors.affiliation: 1 MRC/CSO Social and Public Health Sciences Unit, University of Glasgow, 200, Renfield Street, Glasgow G2 3QB, UK.
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Popham
mesh_terms: D017677:Age Distribution; D005060:Europe / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D008017:Life Expectancy / Q000639:trends*; D044469:Racial Groups; D017678:Sex Distribution