| Abstract: | Background: The major objective of the study was to assess whetherthe extent of health inequalities varies between East and WestGermany and whether differences in social Inequalities betweenboth parts of Germany are associated with differences in healthinequalities. Methods: Data were available from a representativesample of 5,311 persons from West Germany and 2,414 personsfrom East Germany in the same age group (25–69 years).The study protocol was nearly identical in both studies. Socioeconomicstatus (SES) was assessed by household equivalent income andby educational level. Health status was assessed by perceivedgeneral health and by the number of chronic conditions. Absolutedifferences as well as relative differences (odds ratios) inthe morbidity rates between low and high SES groups were calculated.All analyses were performed separately for men and women. Results:Income inequalities are larger in West Germany as compared withEast Germany, but there are minor differences between East andWest Germany concerning educational inequalities and morbidityrates. Just about all measures indicated that health inequalitiesfavouring the upper socioeconomic groups exist in East Germanyas well as in West Germany and that there are no significantdifferences in the extent of health inequalities between bothparts of Germany. Conclusion: Using two data sets which wereraised with nearly identical study protocols, it can be concludedthat health inequalities are very stabile as they do not seemto differ substantially despite the fact that both parts ofGermany have experienced different social systems during thepast 45 years. |
