Contrasts in Alcohol-Related Mortality in Estonia: Education and EthnicityAlcohol and Alcoholism Advance Access published online on June 8, 2009In the study period as a whole, in both genders, an inverse relationship between the educational level and risk of alcohol-related death was apparent.
Non-Estonians were more likely to die from alcohol-related causes than Estonians. Risk of alcohol-related death varied over time, being lowest just before Estonia regained its independence, and highest in the most recent period.
In men, the educational gradient in the mortality odds ratio almost disappeared in 1988–1991, but reappeared in the transition period, while the impact of ethnicity remained stable over time. In women, educational contrasts in the risk of death existed throughout all subperiods, and ethnical inequalities widened in the re-independence period.
Rapid societal changes had profound effects on alcohol-related mortality. Strategies to prevent alcohol misuse should include all sections in society, paying special attention to less educated and non-Estonians.
Request Reprint E-Mail: kaja.rahu@tai.ee
__________________________________________________
