Regional Mortality Differences in Germany

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.

• Age at death
• Behavior related causes
• Cause of death analysis and statistics
• Differential population composition
• German reunification
• Health inequalities
• Human biology and genetic factors
• Individual and regional level
• Life expectancy
• Lifespan disparity
• Lifestyle and mortality
• Living conditions
• Medical care provisions
• Mortality in East and West Germany
• Mortality inequalities
• Mortality risk factors
• Population and death counts
• Regional demography
• Regional mortality differences
• Small area mortality differentials
• Socioeconomic status
• Spatial mortality patterns
• Urban-rural life

• , Population Research Centre, University of Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands

  Eva U.B. Kibele

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