Sigma and beta convergence in regional mortality:A case study of the Netherlands

BACKGROUND For allocation of health budgets it is important to know whether regional mortality differences tend to decline or to increase. Sigma convergence tests can measure whether the dispersion of the regional distribution of mortality has declined. Beta convergence tests can examine whether regions with a low level of life expectancy have experienced a stronger increase than regions with a high level. In demographic research, however, sigma and beta convergence have not been formally assessed simultaneously. OBJECTIVE We demonstrate the application of both sigma and beta convergence tests... Mehr ...