Survival of World War I Veterans and Their Spouses: An Analysis of Life Course Data of Veterans and Family Members Using the Utah Population Database Linked to the 1930 U.S. Census

Alla Chernenko , University of Utah
Alison Fraser, University of Utah
Huong Meeks, University of Utah
Ken R. Smith, University of Utah

We investigated survival outcomes of male WWI veterans and their spouses using the 1930 US Census records linked to the Utah Population Database (UPDB). Our analysis shows that WWI veterans experience survival advantage compared to the general population with regard to all-cause mortality and mortality from select causes and a survival disadvantage with regard to mortality from mental, psychoneurotic and personality disorders. The observed advantage dissipates when veterans are compared to their brothers, but the disadvantage persists. Spouses of the WWI veterans too exhibit a degree of advantage on select causes of death, but are disadvantaged when it comes to mental health related causes. Together, these findings suggest that exposure to conscription, training and combat may adversely affect mental health outcomes of veterans themselves and their spouses.

See extended abstract

 Presented in Session 11. Health & Mortality 2