Disadvantage For Men Research Articles

Widening inequalities in multimorbidity? Time trends among the working population between 2005 and 2015 based on German health insurance data

BackgroundPrevious research has produced evidence for social inequalities in multimorbidity, but little is known on how these disparities change over time. Our study investigates the development of social inequalities in multimorbidity among the middle-aged and older working population. Special attention is paid to whether differing time trends between socio-economic status (SES) groups have taken place, increasing or decreasing inequalities in multimorbidity.MethodsThe analyses are based on claims data of a German statutory health insurance company covering an observation period from 2005 to 2015. Multimorbidity prevalence risks are estimated using logistic generalized estimation equations (GEE) models. Predicted probabilities of multimorbidity prevalence are used to assess time trends in absolute social inequalities in terms of educational level, income, and occupational group.ResultsThe prevalence risks of multimorbidity rose among all SES groups and social gradients persist throughout the observation period, indicating significantly higher multimorbidity prevalence risks for individuals with lower SES. Widening absolute inequalities are found among men in terms of educational level and among women in terms of occupational groups.ConclusionsThe increases in multimorbidity prevalence among the working population are accompanied by widening social inequalities, pointing towards a growing disadvantage for men and women in lower SES groups. The rising burden and the increasing inequalities among the working population stress the importance of multimorbidity as a major public health concern.

Unemployment Exits Before and During the Crisis

AbstractUsing administrative data from Spain, we compare the pattern and the determinants of individual unemployment durations and the stability of jobs found after unemployment before and during the recent crisis. We find particularly strong effects of the crisis on the hazards in the beginning of the unemployment spell. The groups hit hardest by the crisis are men, immigrants, older workers, and low‐educated individuals. The disadvantage of men is mainly due to the more pro‐cyclical nature of men's jobs. The increase in average unemployment duration and the fall in the duration of new jobs are not explained by composition effects.

Unemployment Exits Before and During the Crisis

Using administrative data from Spanish Social Security, we compare the pattern and the determinants of individual unemployment durations and the stability of jobs found after unemployment before and during the recent crisis. We find particularly strong effects of the crisis on the hazards in the beginning of the unemployment spell. The groups hit hardest by the crisis are men, immigrants, older workers, and individuals with lower levels of education. The disadvantage of men is mainly due to the more pro-cyclical nature of men´s jobs. Decompositions show that the increase in average unemployment duration and the decrease in average duration of the new job during the crisis are not explained by changing characteristics of the individuals who become unemployed.

P00117 Explaining the survival disadvantage for men with non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) compared with women in Osaka, Japan

Background Survival from non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is much higher for women than for men in Japan. We adapted methods from the causal inference setting using routine population-based cancer registry data to examine what proportion of the difference in survival can be explained by diagnostic and treatment factors. Methods 34 161 patients were diagnosed with NSCLC between 1993 and 2004 in Osaka, Japan, and followed up for at least 5 years. We regarded patients with localised cancer as being diagnosed early and with regional or distant spread as diagnosed late. G-computation procedures were used to estimate the proportion of the effect of sex on survival mediated by stage and by treatment, controlling for sociodemographic factors. Findings There were substantial sex differences in NSCLC net survival (at 1 year 47% for men versus 53% for women; 5 years, 17% versus 24%). Men were less likely to be diagnosed at an early stage (22% men diagnosed early versus 28% women, OR 0.75 [0.71–0.80], p Interpretation Late presentation and less curative treatment contribute to the survival disadvantage in men. Disentangling this disadvantage by treatment and stage informs us what could be done to most effectively reduce the inequality in outcome.

Widening social disparities in alcohol-attributable deaths among Korean men aged 40–59 years during the transitional period of the economic crisis (1995–2005)

This study examined socioeconomic disparities in alcohol-related mortality among Korean men aged 40-59 years during the period before and after the economic crisis in the late 1990s. We used Korean Census data (1995, 2005) and data from the National Death Files (1994-1996, 2004-2006) on education and employment status as indicators of socioeconomic position. Based on the age-standardized rates of alcohol-attributable deaths, relative discrepancies across socioeconomic positions were estimated. Socially disadvantaged men were substantially disadvantaged in terms of alcohol-attributable mortality in both years. The disadvantage of men with the lowest level of education relative to the highest was worse in 2005 than in 1995. The relative disadvantage in alcohol-attributable deaths seemed to narrow over time based on the rate ratios. However, the relative index of inequality was higher in 2005 compared to 1995 for both education and occupation. The results showed that alcohol-attributable mortality in Korea became socioeconomically polarized during the economic crisis. The serious impact of economic polarization following the economic crisis might have been transmitted to alcohol-attributable mortality.

Visual perception and appraisal of persons with impairments: a randomised controlled field experiment using photo elicitation

Purpose. Visual cues from persons with impairments may trigger stereotypical generalisations that lead to prejudice and discrimination. The main objective of this pilot study is to examine whether visual stimuli of impairment activate latent prejudice against disability and whether this connection can be counteracted with priming strategies.Methods. In a field experiment, participants were asked to rate photographs showing models with mental impairments, wheelchair users with paraplegia, and persons without any visible impairment. Participants should appraise the models with regard to several features (e.g. communicativeness, intelligence). One hundred participants rated 12 photo models yielding a total of 1183 observations. One group of participants was primed with a cover story introducing visual perception of impairment as the study's gist, while controls received neutral information.Results. Photo models with mental impairments were rated lowest and models without visible impairment highest. In participants who did not have prior contacts with persons with impairments, priming led to a levelling of scores of models with and without impairment. Prior contacts with persons with impairments created similar effects as the priming. Unexpectedly, a pattern of converse double discrimination to the disadvantage of men with mental impairments was revealed.Conclusion. Signs of stereotypical processing of visual cues of impairment have been found in participants of the Swiss general population. Personal contact with persons with impairments as well as priming participants seems to reduce stereotyping.

Development of Sex Differences in Economic Activity and Mental Health in Scandinavia

In this preliminary study, sex differences in first admissions to mental hospitals in Finland, Norway, and Sweden are examined against the background of changes in the economic activity of men and women in 1939-1976 Hypotheses denved from earlier studies about the beneficial effect of meaningful economic activity on the mental health of women get some support from macro-level inter-country and historical comparisons. Also, women's growing awareness of their problems, expressed through the feminist movement, has helped them to solve their mental difficulties outside hospitals. Men seem to be more vulnerable than women to crisis situations like war and rapid structural change in society. During such crisis periods the sex ratio in mental hospital first admissions declines to the disadvantage of men. Before definite conclusions of the direct relationships between social changes and the mental health of the sexes can be made, studies at an individual level are needed. Ecological correlations between female/male ratios in mental hospital residency and the economic development of an area are positive. This is mainly due to the low hospital residency rates of men in the developed areas, where both sexes share the economic provider roles. Paid work among women seemingly does not threaten the mental health of men.