Socioeconomic status and the occurrence of fatal and nonfatal injury in the United States

Objectives. This study examined the contribution of socioeconomic status (S ES) to the risk of injury mortality and morbidity among working-age adults. Methods. The sample consisted of respondents to the National Health Intervi ew Survey (1987-1994), and separate analyses were conducted for injury deat hs to respondents by linking: tct the National Death Index. Proportional ha zards regression models were used to analyze mortality. Logistic regression models Were used to analyze morbidity Results. The effects of SES varied substantially by cause of injury mortali ty and indicator of SES. In the multi-variate models, blue-collar workers w ere at significantly increased odds nonfatal injury. Education was unrelate d to total injury morbidity, although associations were observed after stra tification of the outcome by severity and place of occurrence. slack person s were at increased risk for homicide, and Black and Hispanic persons were at decreased risk for suicide and nonfatal injuries, after adjustment for S ES. Conclusions. SES is an important determinant of injury, although the effect depends on the indicator of SES and the cause and severity of injury.