The Mortality Crisis in East Germany

Arbeitspapier

A number of studies suggest that mortality rates among East German men increased in the wake of reunification, in particular between 1989 and 1991, in some age groups by up to thirty percent. This study first examines the developments of mortality and cause of death statistics based on detailed regional data. The results indicate that there was indeed an increase in mortality rates which cannot be dismissed as a statistical artefact. Next, the paper discusses various theories explaining mortality crises and their relevance for the case of East Germany. Based on individual-level panel data the relationship between exposure to stress and overall health is shown. Apparently, the increase in mortality can be explained by the increase in individual stress levels after the economic, cultural and political consequences of reunification.

Object Details

• Language: Englisch

References and Relationships

• Bibliographic citation: Series: IZA Discussion Papers ; No. 6

Classification and Topics

• Classification: Wirtschaft ; Health Behavior ; Demographic Trends, Macroeconomic Effects, and Forecasts
• Subject: mortality ; stress ; transition ; East Germany ; Sterblichkeit ; Männer ; Streß ; Neue Bundesländer ; Nationale Einheit ; Deutschland

Contributors, Places and Time

• Event: Geistige Schöpfung
• (who): Zimmermann, Klaus F. ; Riphahn, Regina T.
• Event: Veröffentlichung
• (who): Institute for the Study of Labor (IZA)
• (where): Bonn
• (when): 1998

Further information

• Handle: http://hdl.handle.net/10419/20852
• Last update: 10.03.2025, 11:41 AM CET