Rasmus Hoffmann – författare

Social differences in health and mortality constitute a persistent finding in epidemiological, demographic, and sociological research. This topic is increasingly discussed in the political debate and is among the most urgent public health issues. However, it is still unknown if socioeconomic mortality differences increase or decrease with age.

This book provides a comprehensive, thoughtful and critical discussion of all aspects involved in the relationship between socioeconomic status, health and mortality. In a well-written language, it synthesizes the sociological theory of social inequality and an empirical study of mortality differences that has been performed at the Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research (Rostock, Germany).

The best available datasets from Denmark and the USA, as two very different countries, are used to analyze the age pattern of social mortality differences, the Danish register data covering the whole Danish population between 1980 and 2002.

This study is the most comprehensive analysis of socioeconomic mortality differences in the literature, in terms of data quantity, quality, and the statistical method of event-history modeling. It makes important new theoretical and empirical contributions. With a new method it also addresses the question whether the measurement of social mortality differences in old age so far has been biased by mortality selection due to unobserved heterogeneity.

"This book signifies an important step forward in theory, empirical data analysis and methodology and an advancement for many disciplines involved in the subject of socioeconomic differences in old age mortality". Prof. Dr. Gabriele Doblhammer, Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research, Rostock, Germany

World- leading experts define and present the most prominent research topics, perspectives, and findings in the field and pose critical questions from within and beyond the research community. Structured into five parts this handbook addresses theories, methods, single stages of the life course, long-term perspectives on the whole life course, and policies. It helps readers understand the complexity of health sociology while also investigating important mechanisms and solutions through which health inequalities can be reduced.

Providing a comprehensive, multi- and interdisciplinary analysis of topics and approaches to health inequalities, this Handbook will be an inspiring resource for researchers seeking to expand their knowledge and tackle new research questions. Advanced students of sociology, demography, epidemiology, public health and related fields will also benefit.