Trends in socioeconomic inequalities in cancer mortality in Barcelona: 1992–2003

Abstract

Background: The objective of this study was to assess trends in cancer mortality by educational level in Barcelona from 1992 to 2003. Methods: The study population comprised Barcelona inhabitants aged 20 years or older. Data on cancer deaths were supplied by the system of information on mortality. Educational level was/nobtained from the municipal census. Age-standardized rates by educational level were calculated. We also fitted Poisson regression models to estimate the relative index of inequality (RII) and the/nSlope Index of Inequalities (SII). All were calculated for each sex and period (1992–1994, 1995–1997, 1998–2000, and 2001–2003). Results: Cancer mortality was higher in men and women with lower educational level throughout the study period. Less-schooled men had higher mortality by stomach, mouth and pharynx,/noesophagus, larynx and lung cancer. In women, there were educational inequalities for cervix uteri, liver and colon cancer. Inequalities of overall and specific types of cancer mortality remained stable/nin Barcelona; although a slight reduction was observed for some cancers. Conclusion: This study has identified those cancer types presenting the greatest inequalities/nbetween men and women in recent years and shown that in Barcelona there is a stable trend in inequalities in the burden of cancer.