British Poor Twice As Likely To Die Prematurely Compared To Affluent People

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Main Category: Public Health
Article Date: 24 Jul 2010 - 4:00 PDT

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In parts of the UK today, the gap in premature mortality is nearly exceeding the inequalities that existed just before the economic crash 0f 1929 and the depression of the 1930s, according to an article published in the BMJ (British Medical Journal). These inequalities have continued to increase progressively throughout the first decade of this century, researchers revealed. There is evidence that things could get even worse.

Mortality inequalities in the UK have risen persistently, despite some government efforts to reverse the trend. The health gap reflects a growing gap between rich and poor, the authors report.

Researchers from the universities of Bristol and Sheffield assessed existing research on socioeconomic differences in mortality, as well as updated population estimates, and used a more accurate method to measure poverty.

They examined mortality data for England and Wales from the Office for National Statistics, and also from the General Register Office for Scotland for Scottish figures.

They used statistics from:

• The whole population aged 75 years or less from 1990 to 2007
• The whole population aged 65 years or less from 1921-39, 1950-53, 1959-63, 1969-73 and 1981-2007

From 1990 to 2007 geographical inequalities in age-sex standardized mortality rates below aged 75 had risen ever two years, with no exception.

• In 1990-1991 the poorest people in the country were 1.6 times as likely to die prematurely, compared to the well off.
• In 2006-2007 the poorest people in the country were 2 times as likely to die prematurely, compared to the well off.

There was a tiny decrease in inequalities for a brief period 2001, but this trend quickly reversed and inequalities up to the age of 75 have now reached the highest levels reported since at least 1990. A slight improvement in inequalities in mortality ratios was also noted in 2001 for people aged under 65, but this pattern has also reversed.

The researchers revealed that geographical inequalities in mortality have been higher during the last ten years than in any decade period for which records are available since at least 1921. Meaning that present inequalities are nearly as high now as they were during the economic crash (1929) and the depression (1930s).

The researchers conclude:

Although life expectancy for all people is increasing, the gap between the best and worst districts is continuing to increase. The economic crash of 2008 might precede even greater inequalities in mortality between areas in Britain.

"Inequalities in premature mortality in Britain: observational study from 1921 to 2007"
Bethan Thomas, Danny Dorling, George Davey Smith
Published 22 July 2010, doi:10.1136/bmj.c3639
BMJ 2010;341:c3639
Written by Christian Nordqvist
Copyright: Medical News Today
Not to be reproduced without permission of Medical News Today

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