This presentation examines whether sex differences in mortality are associated with different distributions of risk factors or from the unique relationships between risk factors and mortality for men and women. We use the National Health and Nutritional Examination Survey III Linked Mortality File and Cox proportional hazards models to reveal that the sex gap in mortality is substantially influenced by such social characteristics as marriage, poverty, visiting with friends and relatives, and attending religious services, and such health behaviors as exercise and abstaining from smoking. Biological factors—including indicators of inflammation and cardiovascular risk—also inform sex differences in mortality, but have a smaller impact than social and behavioral factors.
Professor Richard G Rogers is Director, Population Program, Institute of Behavioral Sciences, and Professor of Sociology, University of Colorado.
*Please note that this seminar will be held in Seminar Room E rather than the usual venue.