Socioeconomic inequalities in health trajectories in Switzerland: Are trajectories diverging as people age?

TitleSocioeconomic inequalities in health trajectories in Switzerland: Are trajectories diverging as people age?
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2015
AuthorsCullati, S
JournalSociology of Health & Illness
Volume37
Issue5
Pagination745-764
ISSN0141-9889
Keywordscumulative advantage and disadvantage, health trajectories, life course, socioeconomic inequalities, Switzerland
Abstract

Do socioeconomic differences in health status increase as people age, reflecting cumulative advantage or disadvantage in health trajectories? Life course research hypothesises that cumulative advantage/disadvantage (CAD) is an important underlying social process that shape inequalities as people age. The objective of this study is to examine whether health trajectories are diverging as people age across socioeconomic positions (education, employment status and income). In a random sample of 3665 respondents living in Switzerland (Swiss Household Panel, 2004-2011), trajectories of self-rated health, body mass index, depression and medicated functioning were examined with multilevel regression models. The results showed that employment status and income were associated with diverging health trajectories among men; however, only a few associations supported the CAD hypothesis. Education was rarely associated with diverging health trajectories. In conclusion, little evidence was found to support the CAD model.

DOI10.1111/1467-9566.12232
Refereed DesignationRefereed