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 Belgium
Philippe’s presentation, titled “Exploring Spatial Inequalities in Cancer Mortality in Twentieth Century Belgium,” revealed intriguing patterns in cancer mortality rates across Belgian municipalities and districts. The study identified fast-changing cancer clusters over time, with industrialized and urbanized areas like Antwerp, Ghent, and Liège showing consistently high rates. Surprisingly, some rural areas also exhibited unexpectedly high cancer mortality rates, presenting a paradox that warrants further investigation.
The research suggests that initially, wealthier districts showed higher cancer mortality rates, but this pattern reversed by 1970. Similar trends were observed in relation to education levels and area deprivation, highlighting the complex interplay of socioeconomic factors in health outcomes.
Air Pollution and cardiovascular mortality: cross-sectional evidence from Belgium, 1910 and 2011
Lise’s presentation, “Air Pollution and cardiovascular mortality: cross-sectional evidence from Belgium, 1910 and 2011,” offered a fascinating comparison of cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality patterns over a century. The study examined the effects of socioeconomic variables and environmental factors on CVD mortality at the municipal level.
In 1910, an inverse social gradient was observed, with higher literacy and income correlating with elevated CVD mortality. Industrial activity, measured by horsepower, was also associated with higher standardized mortality rates. Fast forward to 2011, and the picture changes dramatically. Lower education levels were now linked to increased CVD mortality, while air pollution showed minimal impact at the aggregated level.
These presentations highlight the evolving nature of health inequalities and the changing influence of socioeconomic and environmental factors on mortality patterns. They underscore the importance of historical perspective in understanding current health challenges and developing effective strategies to address them.
As we continue to grapple with health inequalities in the 21st century, these insights from the past provide valuable context and remind us of the complex, multifaceted nature of public health issues.
