Social networks and social support are supposed to contribute to the development of unequal health within populations. However, little is known about their socio-economic distribution. In this study, we explore this distribution. This study analyses the association of two indicators of socio-economic position, education and income, with different measures of social networks and support. Cross-sectional data have been derived from the baseline examination of an epidemiological cohort study of 4.814 middle aged urban inhabitants in Germany (Heinz Nixdorf Recall Study). Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis were carried out to estimate the risk of having poor social networks and support across socio-economic groups. Socially disadvantaged persons more often report poor social networks and social support. In multivariate analyses, based on education, odds ratios range from 1.0 (highest education) to 4.9 (lowest education) in a graded way. Findings based on income show similar effects, ranging from 1.0 to 2.5. There is one exception: no association of SEP with close ties living nearby and regularly seen was observed. Poor social networks and low social support are more frequent among socio-economically disadvantaged people. To some extent, this finding varies according to the indicator chosen to measure these social constructs.

Summary: Germ cell tumours (GCTs) most often arise in the gonads, but some develop extragonadally. The aim of this study was to examine gender‐ and race‐specific trends in incidence and survival of gonadal (GGCTs) and extragonadal GCTs (EGCTs) in the US from 1973 to 2007. We also examined the topographical distribution of EGCTs by race and gender. We estimated age‐specific and age‐standardized incidence rates and 5‐year relative survival rates (RSR) of GCTs using the Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) Program (SEER nine registries). GCTs and their topographical sites were identified using ICD‐O morphology and topography codes. Of 21 170 GCTs among males, 5.7% were extragonadal (Whites 5.5%; Blacks 16.3%). Of 2093 GCTs among females, 39.3% were extragonadal (Whites, 36.9%; Blacks 51.0%). The incidence of GGCT was much higher among White (56.3/1 000 000) than Black males (10.0/1 000 000), while there was no difference in incidence between White and Black females (3.2/1 000 000). The rates of EGCT among men and women of both races were similar (range:1.9–3.4/1 000 000). The most frequent extragonadal sites were mediastinum among males and placenta among females. The 5‐year RSR of testicular GCT was higher among Whites (97%) than Blacks (90%), as was the 5‐year RSR of ovarian GCT (Whites, 92%; Blacks 85%). In general, the 5‐year RSRs of EGCTs were lower than the 5‐year RSRs of GGCTs. The different incidence trends of GGCTs and EGCTs and distinct age‐specific incidence patterns by anatomical site of EGCTs suggest that GGCTs and EGCTs may have different aetiologies.