Education, income inequality, and mortality: A multiple regression analysis

Abstract

Objective: To test whether the relation between income inequality and mortality found in US states is because of different levels of formal education. Design: Cross sectional, multiple regression analysis. Setting: All US states and the District of Columbia (n = 51). Data sources: US census statistics and vital statistics for the years 1989 and 1990. Main outcome measure: Multiple regression analysis with age adjusted mortality from all causes as the dependent variable and 3 independent variables - the Gini coefficient, per capita income, and percentage of people aged ≥ 18 years without a high school diploma. Results: The income inequality effect disappeared when percentage of people without a high school diploma was added to the regression models. The fit of the regression significantly improved when education was added to the model. Conclusions: Lack of high school education accounts for the income inequality effect and is a powerful predictor of mortality variation among US states.