%A A.B. Bandsma
%T Regional differences in life expectancy in the Northern Netherlands: spatial analysis of life expectancy, socioeconomic status and underlying causes of death
%L theses_frw2502
%D 2017
%X The objective of this research is to understand the factors that contribute to the regional differences in life expectancy in the Northern Netherlands. Data on life expectancy, socio economic status (SES) and underlying causes of death (males and females separately) for the period 2011-2014 were retrieved through the National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM) for the 59 municipalities. Mapping and cluster analysis in ArcGIS was applied to determine geographical patterns and variations. Results reveal that low life expectancy was significantly clustered in the Northern Netherlands from 2011-2014, particularly in the northeast of the region. SES and underlying causes of death contributed to the explanation of regional differences in life expectancy, with the exception of external causes of death. In conclusion, low life expectancy in the northeast of the region is attributable to a lower SES and its influence on unhealthy lifestyles.