Title
The impact of area deprivation on differences in health: Does the choice of the geographical classification matter?
Author
Reijneveld, S.A.
Verheij, R.A.
de Bakker, D.H.
TNO Preventie en Gezondheid
Publication year
2000
Abstract
Objective - Many studies show the average health status in deprived areas to be poorer and the use of health care to be higher, but there is hardly any information on the impact of the geographical classification on the size of these differences. This study examines the impact of the geographical classification on the clustering of poor health per area and on the size of the differences in health by area deprivation. Design - Data on self reported health regarding 5121 people were analysed using three classifications: neighbourhoods, postcode sectors and boroughs. Multilevel logistic models were used to determine the clustering of poor health per area and the size of the differences in health by area deprivation, without and subsequently with adjustment for individual socioeconomic status. Setting - General population aged 16 years and over of Amsterdam, the Netherlands. Main outcome measures - Self rated health, mental symptoms (General Health Questionnaire, 12-item version), physical symptoms and long term functional limitations. Main results - The clustering of poor health is largest in neighbourhoods and smallest in postcode sectors. Health differences by area deprivation differ only slightly for the three geographical classifications, both with and without adjustment for individual socioeconomic status. Conclusions - In this study, the choice of the geographical classification affects the degree of clustering of poor health by area but it has hardly any impact on the size of health differences by area deprivation.
Subject
Health
Classification
Health services
Medical geography
Methodology
Geographic distribution
Lowest income group
Major clinical study
Mental health
Socioeconomics
Statistical analysis
Adolescent
Adult
Aged
Cluster Analysis
Female
Health Status
Humans
Logistic Models
Male
Middle Aged
Multivariate Analysis
Poverty
Poverty Areas
Socioeconomic Factors
Netherlands
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http://resolver.tudelft.nl/uuid:fc1c4948-9578-43ae-9730-80104b0f841f
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1136/jech.54.4.306
TNO identifier
235515
ISSN
0143-005X
Source
Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health, 54 (4), 306-313
Document type
article