Consistently Widening? Evidence for Fluctuating Gaps in Adult Mortality by Educational Attainment in Argentina

Hernan M. Manzelli, University of Texas at Austin

The persistence of socioeconomic differences in mortality is a pressing public health matter. Several recent studies from around the world have observed that despite an overall decline in death rates during the 20th Century, socioeconomic disparities in morbidity and mortality persisted or even increased. However, there is little evidence on this issue from Latin America countries. Using data from the Argentinian Mortality Files and National Censuses for 1991, 2001, and 2010, this paper analyzes changes in educational differences in adult mortality in Argentina. Results show that educational differences in overall adult mortality were widest in the year 2001, which was characterized by a serious economic and social crisis. In contrast, somewhat narrower educational inequalities in mortality were found in both 1991 and 2010. The findings are relevant to research on social inequalities in mortality and to public policies aimed at reducing them.