Wednesday, January 30, 2008

[EQ] Inequalities in mortality during and after restructuring of the New Zealand economy

Inequalities in mortality during and after restructuring of the New Zealand economy:
repeated cohort studies

Tony Blakely, research professor1, Martin Tobias, principal adviser2, June Atkinson, senior analyst and  team leader1
1 Health Inequalities Research Programme, University of Otago, Wellington, Wellington, New Zealand , 2 Epidemiology, Public Health Intelligence, Ministry of Health, Wellington, New Zealand  
BMJ, doi:10.1136/bmj.39455.596181.25 - published 24 January 2008

Available online at:
http://www.bmj.com/cgi/content/full/bmj.39455.596181.25v1?maxtoshow=&HITS=10&hits=10&RESULTFORMAT=&fulltext=new+zealand+and+inequalities&searchid=1&FIRSTINDEX=0&resourcetype=HWCIT

Abstract:
http://www.bmj.com/cgi/content/abstract/bmj.39455.596181.25v1?maxtoshow=&HITS=10&hits=10&RESULTFORMAT=&fulltext=new+zealand+and+inequalities&searchid=1&FIRSTINDEX=0&resourcetype=HWCIT

 Abstract
 Introduction
 Methods
 Results
 Discussion
 References

Objectives To determine whether disparities between income and mortality changed during a period of major structural and  macroeconomic reform and  to estimate the changing contribution of different diseases to these disparities.

Design Repeated cohort studies Data sources 1981, 1986, 1991, 1996, and  2001 censuses linked to mortality data
Population Total New Zealand  population, ages 1-74 years.

Methods Mortality rates stand ardised for age and  ethnicity were calculated for each census cohort by level of household income. Standardised rate differences and  rate ratios, and  slope and  relative indices of inequality (SII and  RII), were calculated to measure disparities on both absolute and  relative scales.

Results All cause mortality rates declined over the 25 year study period in all groups stratified by sex, age, and  income, except for 25-44 year olds of both sexes on low incomes among whom there was little change. In all age groups pooled, relative inequalities increased from 1981-4 to 1996-9 (RIIs increased from 1.85 (95% confidence interval 1.67 to 2.04) to 2.54 (2.29 to 2.82) for males and  from 1.54 (1.35 to 1.76) to 2.12 (1.88 to 2.39) for females), then stabilised in 2001-4 (RIIs of 2.60 (2.34 to 2.89) and  2.18 (1.93 to 2.45), respectively).

Absolute inequalities were stable over time, with a possible fall from 1996-9 to 2001-4. Cardiovascular disease was the major contributor to the observed disparities between income and  mortality but decreased in importance from 45% in 1981-4 to 33% in 2001-4 for males and  from 50% to 29% for females. The corresponding contribution of cancer increased from 16% to 22% for males and  from 12% to 25% for females.

Conclusions During and  after restructuring of the economy disparities in mortality between income groups in New Zealand  increased in relative terms (but not in absolute terms), but it is difficult to confidently draw a causal link with structural reforms. The contribution of different causes of death to this inequality changed over time, indicating a need to re-prioritise health policy accordingly.

 

 

 


 *      *      *     *

This message from the Pan American Health Organization, PAHO/WHO, is part of an effort to disseminate
information Related to: Equity; Health inequality; Socioeconomic inequality in health; Socioeconomic
health differentials; Gender; Violence; Poverty; Health Economics; Health Legislation; Ethnicity; Ethics;
Information Technology - Virtual libraries; Research & Science issues.  [DD/ IKM Area]

“Materials provided in this electronic list are provided "as is". Unless expressly stated otherwise, the findings
and interpretations included in the Materials are those of the authors and not necessarily of The Pan American
Health Organization PAHO/WHO or its country members”.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

PAHO/WHO Website: http://www.paho.org/

EQUITY List - Archives - Join/remove: http://listserv.paho.org/Archives/equidad.html

 

 

 

 

 

    IMPORTANT: This transmission is for use by the intended recipient and it may contain privileged, proprietary or confidential information. If you are not the intended recipient or a person responsible for delivering this transmission to the intended recipient, you may not disclose, copy or distribute this transmission or take any action in reliance on it. If you received this transmission in error, please notify us immediately by email to infosec@paho.org, and please dispose of and delete this transmission. Thank you.  

No comments: