Health inequalities are among the most persistent and consequential forms of social inequality. Shaped by long-term historical trajectories, spatial structures, and socio-economic transformations, they have produced uneven health outcomes across regions, social groups, and historical periods. From pre-industrial mortality regimes to contemporary health transitions, these disparities have been influenced by…
This past September, several members of the INEQKILL team participated in the 6th Conference of the European Society of Historical Demography (ESHD), hosted by the University of Bologna from September 10 to 13, 2025. The conference theme, “Minorities and Majorities in Historical Populations,” brought together scholars from across Europe to exchange ideas on…
Several members of the INEQKILL team recently presented their research at the Belgian Demography Day, held on 25 April 2025 in Leuven. Philippe Paeps shared findings from his spatiotemporal analysis of inequalities in cancer-specific mortality in Belgium between 1961 and 1991, while Marina Vergeles presented her work demonstrating that duration…
At the European Social Science History Conference (ESSHC) 2025 in Leiden, INEQKILL was represented by Isabelle Devos and Philippe Paeps, who each presented new research on long-term health disparities in Belgium. Isabelle Devos presented the paper “Urban Health Penalties: The Epidemiological Transition in Belgian Cities, 1890–2019,” co-authored with Mélanie Bourguignon,…
We are thrilled to announce that our colleague Philippe Paeps has been awarded the Best Presentation Prize at the 16th Conference of Young Demographers in Prague. Philippe's presentation, titled "Unequal Burdens. Unraveling Spatial Disparities in Twentieth-Century Belgian Cancer Mortality," showcased his research on the complex relationship between geography, socioeconomic factors,…
A recent study by Janna Dinneweth and Sylvie Gadeyne has shed light on the complex relationships between air pollution, socioeconomic factors, and mortality rates for dementia and Parkinson's disease (PD). Their research is conducted at the municipality level and highlights the importance of considering spatial patterns in health outcomes. Using…
It is well-known that air pollution, noise, and green spaces influence our health. But what about the way we perceive our living environment? A new study by Joachim Gotink and Sylvie Gadeyne shows that not only do objective environmental factors matter, but our personal perception of them also plays a role in…
We are delighted to announce the release of the issue titled "La mortalité selon les causes de décès : approches spatio-temporelles" in Espace Populations Sociétés. This issue, directed by Mélanie Bourguignon, Yoann Doignon, Thierry Eggerickx, Jean-Paul Sanderson, and Sophie Vanwambeke, showcases important research that delves into the spatial and temporal dimensions of mortality.…
At the recent 2024 SIDeS conference on "Demography and Environment in Historical Perspective," our PhD students Philippe Paeps and Lise Bevernaegie shed light on the complex relationship between socioeconomic factors, environmental conditions, and health outcomes in Belgium over the past century: Exploring Spatial Inequalities in Cancer Mortality in Twentieth Century…
We’re pleased to share that two of our dedicated PhD students have successfully secured FWO PhD fellowships! This accomplishment highlights their hard work and the valuable research happening within the team.Congratulations to Janna Dinneweth and Philippe Paeps! We look forward to seeing the impact of your research in the coming years.Janna’s…