Work

Neighborhoods and mortality in Sweden: Is deprivation best assessed nationally or regionally?

Year: 2018

Type: article

Abstract: BACKGROUNDThe association between neighborhood deprivation and mortality is well established, but knowledge about whether deprivation is best assessed regionally or nationally is scarce. OBJECTIVEThe present study aims to examine whether there is a difference in results when using national and county-specific neighborhood deprivation indices and whether the level of urbanization modifies the association between neighborhood deprivation and mortality. METHODSWe collected data on the entire population aged above 50 residing in the 21 Swedish counties on January 1, 1990, and followed them for mortality due to all causes and for coronary heart disease.The association between neighborhood deprivation and mortality was assessed using Cox regression, assuming proportional hazards with attained age as an underlying variable, comparing the 25% most deprived neighborhoods with the 25% most affluent ones within each region, and using both the national and the county-specific indices.The potential interactions were also assessed. RESULTSThe choice of a national or a county-specific index did not affect the estimates to a large extent.The effect of neighborhood deprivation on mortality in metropolitan regions (hazard ratio: 1.21 [1.20-1.22])was somewhat higher than that in the more rural southern (HR: 1.16 [1.15-1.17])and northern regions (HR: 1.11 [1.09-1.12]).

Source: Demographic Research

DOI: 10.4054/demres.2018.38.18

Authors: Daniel Oudin Åström, Paul W. Franks, Kristina Sundquist

Institution: Lund University

Language: English

Topic: Health disparities and outcomes

Subfield: Health

Field: Social Sciences

Domain: Social Sciences

SDGs: Good health and well-being, Reduced inequalities, Sustainable cities and communities

Open Access status: diamond

Funder: Vetenskapsrådet