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Gesundheitliche Ungleichheiten im Alter

Theoretische Perspektiven und methodische Herausforderungen

Health inequalities in old age

Theoretical perspectives and methodological challenges

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Zusammenfassung

Der Beitrag gibt einen Überblick über aktuelle Entwicklungen in Bezug auf theoretische Perspektiven und methodische Herausforderungen in der Erforschung gesundheitlicher Ungleichheiten im Alter. Dabei zeigt sich, dass Forschungsarbeiten zur Erklärung des sozialen Gradienten rar und insbesondere Ansatzpunkte zur Reduzierung gesundheitlicher Ungleichheiten noch nicht ausreichend erforscht sind. Bei der Interpretation der vorliegenden Studien ist zu berücksichtigen, dass die Aussagekraft im Hinblick auf kausale Mechanismen und Veränderungen im Lebenslauf aufgrund selektiver Stichproben und der oftmals querschnittlichen Betrachtungsweise eingeschränkt ist.

Abstract

While it has been long known that health inequalities persist until higher ages, less is known about the underlying mechanisms and health trajectories over the life course. This article gives an overview on recent developments regarding theoretical concepts and methodological considerations in this field of research. It can be concluded that studies on the explanation of the social gradient in health are scarce and even less is known about societal contexts that enable healthy aging irrespective of the socioeconomic position. The existing evidence on causal mechanisms and developments over the life course warrants cautious interpretation due to selective study samples and cross-sectional study designs.

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  1. ISG Institut für Sozialforschung und Gesellschaftspolitik, Weinsbergstr. 190, 50825, Köln, Deutschland

    Alina Schmitz M.A.

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Correspondence to Alina Schmitz M.A..

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Dieser Beitrag beinhaltet keine von der Autorin durchgeführten Studien an Menschen oder Tieren.

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Schmitz, A. Gesundheitliche Ungleichheiten im Alter. Z Gerontol Geriat 52, 116–121 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00391-019-01518-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00391-019-01518-2

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