Geographical variation in cardiovascular disease mortality in Norway: The role of life course socioeconomic position and parental health

Health Place. 2023 Sep:83:103095. doi: 10.1016/j.healthplace.2023.103095. Epub 2023 Aug 31.

Abstract

Despite substantial geographical variation in cardiovascular (CVD) mortality within countries, little is known about whether this variation can be explained by individuals' life course socioeconomic position (SEP) or differences in family history of premature CVD deaths. Cox proportional hazards models were used to investigate the association between the county of residence at ages 50-59 and CVD death in Norwegians born between 1940 and 1959 and survived to at least age 60, using national data. Individual life course SEP and family history of premature CVD death reduced the geographical variation in CVD mortality across Norwegian counties, but some significant differences remained. Furthermore, CVD risk varied by residents' migration histories between two counties with distinct CVD and socioeconomic profiles.

Keywords: Cardiovascular disease (CVD); Mortality; Norway; Regional inequality; Spatial epidemiology.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Cardiovascular Diseases*
  • Humans
  • Life Change Events
  • Middle Aged
  • Norway / epidemiology
  • Parents
  • Socioeconomic Factors