Why is this study important?

• An important first step to monitor progress toward reducing or eliminating socio-economic inequalities in health is to determine the distribution of mortality rates across various groups.
• Until now, no nationally representative Canadian population-based cohort studies have examined mortality by socio-economic status.

What else is known on this topic?

• Results from other countries have consistently shown lower education levels and lower-status occupational categories (and the economically inactive) to have the highest mortality rates.

What does this study add?

• These results provide important baseline information on the nature and extent of socio-economic inequalities in mortality in Canada.
• A much greater disparity was revealed by individual and family income compared with neighbourhood income, especially for women.