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Inequalities in mortality associated with housing conditions in Belgium between 1991 and 2015

Martina Otavova, Universite catholique de Louvain (UCL)
Christel Faes, Hasselt University - Interuniversity Institute for Biostatistics and statistical Bioinformatics
Brecht Devleesschauwer, Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, Sciensano, Brussels, Belgium
Bruno Masquelier, Louvain University (UCL)

Background: Poor housing conditions are associated with increased mortality. Our aim is to measure inequality in mortality attributable to housing deprivation in Belgium. Methods: We utilized data on housing from 1991, 2001, and 2011 population censuses, and mortality data from the National Register in Belgium between Jan 1, 1991 and Dec 31, 2015. Area-level composite housing deprivation indices were developed for each statistical sector in Belgium, and population attributable fraction and standardized mortality rates per deprivation deciles were computed. Expected deaths were calculated by applying mortality in the least deprived decile to other deciles, stratified by 5-year age group, sex, and time. Results: If the Belgian population experienced mortality rates of the statistical sectors with the lowest housing deprivation, mortality would be reduced by about 18%, corresponding to 468,712 deaths occurring between 1991-2015. Population attributable fraction increased over time and was higher for men (24%) than women (13%). The difference in age-standardized mortality rates between the most and the least deprived groups increased over time from 17 to 29% and from 8 to 20% for men and women, respectively. Conclusion: Housing conditions are strongly associated with health inequalities in Belgium and ensuring good housing conditions could help in reducing inequalities.

Keywords: Mortality, Inequality

See extended abstract.

  Presented in Session P15.