How much of the variation in mortality across Norwegian municipalities is explained by the socio-demographic characteristics of the population?

Health Place. 2015 May:33:148-58. doi: 10.1016/j.healthplace.2015.02.013. Epub 2015 Mar 29.

Abstract

The goal was to find out whether much of the variation in mortality between the 430 Norwegian municipalities could be attributed to socio-demographic characteristics of the population - operating through individual- or aggregate-level mechanisms. Two-level discrete-time hazard models were estimated for women and men at age 60-89 in 2000-2008, using registers covering the entire population. Year, age and a municipality-level random term were included in the first step. When socio-demographic characteristics of the individual and others in the municipality were added, the variance of the random term was reduced by 73-80% almost exclusively because of aggregate-level effects. Policy implications of these findings are discussed.

Keywords: Geographic variation; Mortality; Multilevel; Municipality; Norway.

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Cities
  • Female
  • Geography
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Mortality*
  • Norway / epidemiology
  • Registries
  • Socioeconomic Factors*
  • Urban Health / statistics & numerical data*