Options
A formal investigation of inequalities in health behaviours after age 50 on the Island of Ireland
Date Issued
2014-02
Date Available
2014-02-20T14:24:24Z
Abstract
Smoking, low physical activity and frequent alcohol consumption may have substantial health risks in terms of disease, quality of life and mortality. Understanding inequality in relation to these behaviours among older people is important in the context of a rapidly ageing population.
In this study, we examine income-related inequality in relation to these three key health behaviours using data on older adults from both the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. We employ concentration indices and decompose them to determine the factors which contribute most to inequality.
We then examine whether differences exist between the two regions. We find that smoking and low physical activity are more concentrated among those with
lower incomes in both regions. In relation to physical activity, the magnitude of the inequality is higher for Northern Ireland. Frequent alcohol consumption is more concentrated among those with higher incomes in both regions. Self-assessed health and age tend to feature prominently for all behaviours in terms of contribution to inequality. Marital status and labour market status tend to play a less pronounced role. In terms of Northern Ireland/Republic of Ireland comparisons with respect to the decompositions, probably the biggest difference is to be observed in the greater role
accorded to labour market status in the Republic. For the other factors, the orders of magnitude are reasonably similar. This suggests that in many cases it may be the same underlying factors which lie behind income related inequalities.
Sponsorship
Not applicable
Type of Material
Working Paper
Publisher
University College Dublin. School of Economics
University College Dublin. Geary Institute
Series
UCD Centre for Economic Research Working Paper Series
WP14/02
UCD Geary Institute Discussion Paper Series
WP2014/06
Web versions
Language
English
Status of Item
Not peer reviewed
This item is made available under a Creative Commons License
File(s)
Owning collection
Views
2525
Acquisition Date
Apr 16, 2024
Apr 16, 2024
Downloads
292
Last Month
1
1
Acquisition Date
Apr 16, 2024
Apr 16, 2024