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Australian trends in mortality by socioeconomic status using NSW small area data, 1970–89

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  31 July 2008

Susan Quine ,
Richard Taylor  and
Lillian Hayes
Susan Quine
Affiliation:
Department of Public Health and Community Medicine, University of Sydney
Richard Taylor
Affiliation:
Department of Public Health and Community Medicine, University of Sydney
Lillian Hayes
Affiliation:
Department of Primary Health Care, University of Sydney
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Summary

This ecological study examines trends in socioeconomic differentials in mortality in New South Wales, Australia, over a 20-year period (1970–89). The proportion unskilled was used as the indicator of socioeconomic status and its selection justified. Using census data aggregated by Local Government Area, the relationship between mortality and socioeconomic status was examined using quintiles based on the proportion unskilled in the population. Local Government Areas were also sorted into quintiles using mortality rates (0–74 years) to describe change in mortality differentials over time. Socioeconomic differentials were more evident in the relatively homogeneous Local Government Areas within the Sydney Statistical Division than in the remaining NSW Statistical Divisions which are more heterogeneous and predominantly rural. Although there has been an overall decline in mortality for males and females, and for high and low status groups, over this period the relative socioeconomic differentials have not declined. For the most recent period (1985–89) there appears to be some widening of differentials for males. The NSW state trends are generally similar to those reported for Britain and for other industrialised countries, suggesting that this is a common trend and that policies to reduce inequalities have not been effective.

Type
Research Article
Information
Journal of Biosocial Science , Volume 27 , Issue 4 , October 1995 , pp. 409 - 419
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1995

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