CIGEV, area gerontology: Research on Lifespan, Multidirectionality and Plasticity – Director: Matthias Kliegel

Factors of Mortality in Old Age in Switzerland (FaMOS)

Goal

FaMOS is a project that explores the factors of mortality in old age in Switzerland using a dataset made up from the linkage of the VLV survey (survey of people aged 65 an older) and the SNC (Swiss National Cohort mortality database). More specifically, the project will look at social gradients—why do poor and less educated people die earlier? The analysis of such social gradients will focus on two theoretical frameworks: Firstly, using a life course approach, it assesses the role of past life trajectories (employment, health and family trajectories) and critical life events (divorce, death of a partner, etc.) and secondly, the role of cognitive reserve.