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The Journals of Gerontology Series B: Psychological Sciences and Social Sciences Advance Access published online on March 23, 2009
The Journals of Gerontology Series B: Psychological Sciences and Social Sciences, doi:10.1093/geronb/gbp013
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© The Author 2009. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of The Gerontological Society of America. All rights reserved. For permissions, please e-mail: journals.permissions@oxfordjournals.org.

Why Is the Educational Gradient of Mortality Steeper for Men?

Jennifer Karas Montez, Mark D. Hayward, Dustin C. Brown and Robert A. Hummer

Department of Sociology and Population Research Center, University of Texas at Austin

Address correspondence to Jennifer Karas Montez, MS, MA, Population Research Center, 1 University Station, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712. Email: jennkaras{at}prc.utexas.edu


  Abstract

Objectives: It is often documented that the educational gradient of mortality is steeper for men than for women; yet, the explanation remains a matter of debate. We examine gender differences in the gradients within the context of marriage to determine whether overall differences reflect gender differences in health behaviors or a greater influence of men's education on spousal health.

Methods: We used data from the 1986 through 1996 National Health Interview Survey Linked Mortality Files for non-Hispanic White adults aged 55–84 years at the time of survey. We estimated Cox proportional hazards models to examine the gradients (N = 180,208).

Results: The educational gradient of mortality is marginally steeper for men than for women when aggregating across marital statuses; yet, this reflects a steeper gradient among unmarried men, with low-educated never married men exhibiting high levels of mortality. The gradient among unmarried men is steeper than unmarried women for causes that share smoking as a major risk factor, supporting a behavioral explanation for differences in the gradient. No gender difference in the gradient is observed for married adults.

Discussion: Low education and unmarried status exert a synergistic effect on men's mortality. Unmarried, low-educated men may lack social supports that encourage positive health behaviors.

Key Words: Education • Gender • Gradient • Marriage • Mortality

Received September 6, 2008; Accepted January 26, 2009

Decision Editor: Kenneth F. Ferraro, PhD


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