Abstract
BackgroundAmple studies have observed an adverse association between individual socioeconomic position (SEP) and lung cancer mortality. Moreover, the presence of a partner has shown to be a crucial determinant of health. Yet, few studies have assessed whether partner’s SEP affects health in addition to individual SEP. This paper will study whether own SEP (education), partner’s SEP (partner’s education) and own and partner’s SEP combined (housing conditions), are associated with lung cancer mortality in Belgium.MethodsData consist of the Belgian 2001 census linked to register data on cause-specific mortality for 2001–2011. The study population includes all married or cohabiting Belgian inhabitants aged 40–84 years. Age-standardized lung cancer mortality rates (direct standardization) and mortality rate ratios (Poisson regression) were computed for the different SEP groups.ResultsIn men, we observed a clear inverse association between all SEP indicators (own and partner’s education, and housing conditions) and lung cancer mortality. Men benefit from having a higher educated partner in terms of lower lung cancer mortality rates. These observations hold for both middle-aged and older men.For women, the picture is less uniform. In middle-aged and older women, housing conditions is inversely associated with lung cancer mortality. As for partner’s education, for middle-aged women, the association is rather weak whereas for older women, there is no such association. Whereas the educational level of middle-aged women is inversely associated with lung cancer mortality, in older women this association disappears in the fully adjusted model.ConclusionsBoth men and women benefit from being in a relationship with a high-educated partner. It seems that for men, the educational level of their partner is of great importance while for women the housing conditions is more substantial. Both research and policy interventions should allow for the family level as well.
Highlights
Ample studies have observed an adverse association between individual socioeconomic position (SEP) and lung cancer mortality
We looked at the association between lung cancer mortality and partner’s educational level
In middleaged and older women, housing conditions is inversely associated with lung cancer mortality
Summary
Ample studies have observed an adverse association between individual socioeconomic position (SEP) and lung cancer mortality. This paper will study whether own SEP (education), partner’s SEP (partner’s education) and own and partner’s SEP combined (housing conditions), are associated with lung cancer mortality in Belgium. This paper investigates the associations between own and partner’s socioeconomic position (SEP) and lung cancer mortality in Belgium. Belgium is a high-risk setting, which makes it an interesting case to study differences in lung cancer mortality. Such a setting is apt to identify risk factors at play and can eventually result in more tailored prevention and health care policies
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
