On age-specific variations in income-related inequalities in diabetes, hypertension and obesity

This article examines whether the social health gradients in diabetes, hypertension and obesity for men and women vary significantly across different age groups. We use a pooled sample of German survey data from the years 2002 and 2006 with a total of 87,601 observations. We employ a varying Wagstaff index derived from the class of Gini-type concentration indices to estimate age-specific income-related health inequalities. We find significant health disadvantages among poor women in mid-age, but no significant age-specific income-related health inequalities among men. Some leveling of inequalities in diabetes is observed. The results suggest that variations in age-specific inequalities are unlikely to be a purely artificial result of health-related selection into retirement or mortality.