Analysing the historical development of socioeconomic inequalities in lifespan using newspaper obits

Abstract Background A historical perspective on socioeconomic inequalities in lifespan provides insights into their persistence and the scope of achievable reductions. However, administrative data to study the evolution of socioeconomic inequalities in the 20th century are often unavailable, requiring the use of alternative data sources. To study the historical development of socioeconomic inequalities in lifespan in Vorarlberg/Austria, we utilized newspaper obituaries. Methods We extracted data from all obituaries published in a monopolist regional newspaper in 5-year intervals between 1946 and 1981 (n = 10,254). Lifespan was our outcome and we used four markers for socioeconomic status: obituary size as a proxy for its cost and hence the deceased's (family's) financial ability; tertiary education; blue/white collar occupation; honorary titles. We estimated inequalities in lifespan per year using linear and quantile regression models. Results The mean lifespan was 52 years in 1946 and 71 years in 1981. While in 1946, individuals with medium-sized obituaries lived 4.90 years (95% CI: 0.78-9.02) longer than individuals with small obituaries, individuals with large obituaries lived 14.69 years (95% CI: 2.64-26.74) longer. By 1981, differences were reduced to 2.50 years (95% CI: 0.83-4.17) for medium and 6.44 years (95% CI: 0.29-12.59) for large obituaries. These trends were confirmed by the analyses using the other socioeconomic markers. Conclusions Compared with current data, socioeconomic inequalities were less pronounced four decades ago, which may set a realistic goal to achieve again. Comparisons with registry data illustrate that obituary data effectively capture mortality patterns. In the absence of administrative data, obituary data help improve the understanding of the evolution of health inequalities, or could be used to nowcast daily patterns in pandemics, especially if relevant legislation were implemented to support their routine electronic provision. Key messages • Using obituary data, i.e. an underexplored, yet rich data source to study population health, lifespan inequalities were found to have narrowed between 1946 and 1981 in Vorarlberg/Austria. • Comparisons with available registry data illustrate that obituary data can effectively capture mortality patterns and may enhance our understanding of the persistence of health inequalities.