Educational inequalities in mortality among Israeli Jews: Changes over time in a dynamic population

Changes in educational inequalities in mortality in a country that underwent a sudden population growth were examined using two census-based longitudinal studies from Israel (I, 1983-1992, n=152,150 and II, 1995-2004, n=209,125). Relative changes in educational inequalities in mortality were assessed using mortality rates and odds ratios and their corresponding 95% confidence intervals. Decreases in mortality rates and widening relative educational inequalities in mortality were seen over time. Among recent immigrants, educational inequalities in mortality existed but to a lesser degree than for residents. The widening gap (2.5-fold) in cardiovascular disease mortality risks observed for low versus high educated middle-aged women, was particularly alarming. The observed decreasing mortality rates, indicative of a healthier society, alongside widening educational inequalities in mortality indicates uneven changes within the population.