OBJECTIVES: Large socioeconomic inequalities in health are still present in the Central Europe. The aim was to explore socioeconomic inequalities in mortality in Visegrad countries-the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland and Slovakia (V4), by three different socioeconomic indicators (unemployment, risk of poverty/social exclusion, education). The study was conducted within the H2020 Euro-Healthy project. METHODS: The associations between selected socioeconomic indicators and the standardised mortality rates by four main causes (mortality related to cancer, circulatory, respiratory and digestive system) in the economically active population aged 20-64 years in the 35 NUTS 2 level regions of the V4 in the period 2011-2013 were explored, using linear regression models. RESULTS: Lower education level was the most significant predictor of mortality in the V4. The lowest mortality rates by all causes of death were found in the regions of the Czech Republic, the highest in regions of Hungary. CONCLUSIONS: Despite the common origin, the pathways of the V4 countries in employment, poverty and education seem to be different, also having impact on health equity. Therefore, where you live in the V4 can significantly influence your health.

Centre of Studies in Geography and Planning University of Coimbra Coimbra Portugal

Department of Geography and Tourism Humanities Faculty University of Coimbra Coimbra Portugal

Department of Health Psychology Medical Faculty P J Safarik University in Kosice Kosice Slovak Republic

Department of Regional Development Land use Planning and Environment Kosice Self governing Region Kosice Slovakia

Department of Social Geography and Regional Development Faculty of Science Charles University Prague Czech Republic

Faculty of Humanities and Natural Sciences University of Presov Presov Slovakia

Olomouc University Social Health Institute Palacky University in Olomouc Olomouc Czech Republic

Research Department of Epidemiology and Public Health University College London London UK

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