The Role of Household and Individual Income in Shaping Mortality Inequalities in the Elderly Population in Italy

Lucia Coppola , ISTAT
Luisa Frova, Italian National Institute of Statistics
Enrico Grande, Istat
Marilena Pappagallo, Italian National Institute of Statistics
Isabella Siciliani, Istat

Income is a relevant predictor of adult mortality, with lower mortality rates observed at higher income levels. The way income is measured has an impact on the analysis of the relationship between economic resources and mortality. Income can be defined at either the household or individual level. At the household level, it is a measure of the average economic resources available to each household member, including those without personal income. At the individual level, it is a measure of earning ability. We compare these two measures when analysing mortality inequality in the elderly population in Italy. These analyses are based on an innovative database created by integrating the Istat Population Register with the Income Integrated Database at an individual level. Mortality rate ratios are estimated using negative binomial regression models. Firstly, two models are estimated by sex: one includes household equivalised income, and the other includes individual income, so the effects of these two measures are compared. Secondly, the population is stratified by household income level and models include individual income to investigate the persistence of mortality inequality within households with similar economic resources. The results show that mortality inequality among the elderly is associated with both measures of income but individual income is related to wider disparities. When income redistribution within the household is considered, mortality inequalities decrease but remain relevant. Focusing on households with similar economic resources reveals that low individual income remains a predictor of higher mortality, suggesting that household income may mask intra-household inequality.

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 Presented in Session 38. Flash Session Social Inequalities in Mortality