Scottish Government

Results

Healthy Life Expectancy ( HLE) - at birth

Summary

• Inequalities are stable in both absolute and relative terms

The HLE indicator is based on two years of data to ensure large enough sample sizes. Data for 2007/2008 has not yet been published so this section has not been updated. Between 1999/2000 and 2005/2006, HLE has increased by 2.4 years (4%) for males and 1.5 years (2%) for females. Over the same period, the difference between HLE and total life expectancy (that is, the number of years that could be expected to be spent in poor health) has fallen by 0.5 years (7%) for males and 0.2 years (2%) for females. In 2005/2006, HLE at Scotland level for males was 67.4 years (7.3 years less than total life expectancy) and HLE for females was 69.6 years (10.0 years less than total life expectancy). HLE in deprived areas is lower for both males and females than HLE in areas of low deprivation. In 2005/2006, HLE of those living in the most deprived decile was 19.8 years lower for males and 18.2 years lower for females than HLE of those living in the least deprived decile. The difference between HLE and total life expectancy (expected years spent in poor health) is also notably greater in more deprived areas: for males - 10.1 years in poor health in the most deprived decile compared with 3.6 years in the least deprived decile; and for females - 14.9 years in poor health in the most deprived decile compared with 5.8 years in the least deprived decile. Between 1999/2000 and 2005/2006, increases in HLE have been observed across the population, with no discernible difference between deprivation groups. Inequalities have been stable in both absolute and relative terms (as demonstrated by the absolute range and RII respectively).

Inequalities gradient in the most recent year available

Healthy Life Expectancy - Males - by Income-Employment Index: Scotland 2005/2006

Healthy Life Expectancy - Females - by Income-Employment Index: Scotland 2005/2006

(Note: the red bars for each column indicate the uncertainties in each estimate of HLE).

Relative Index of Inequality ( RII) over time

Relative Index of Inequality ( RII): Healthy Life Expectancy - Males - Scotland 1999/2000-2005/2006 [Data not available for 2003/2004]
( RII = SII divided by population mean HLE)

Relative Index of Inequality ( RII): Healthy Life Expectancy - Females - Scotland 1999/2000-2005/2006 [Data not available for 2003/2004]
( RII = SII divided by population mean rate)

Absolute range over time

Absolute range: Healthy Life Expectancy - Males - Scotland 1999/2000-2005/2006 [Data not available for 2003/2004]

Absolute range: Healthy Life Expectancy - Females - Scotland 1999/2000-2005/2006 [Data not available for 2003/2004]

(Note: the red bars for each column indicate the uncertainties in each estimate of absolute difference in HLE).

Scale / context

Premature Mortality - from all causes, aged under 75 years

Summary

• Inequalities are stable in absolute terms but are widening in relative terms

Between 1997 and 2007, deaths amongst those aged under 75 years have decreased by 21.2%. Despite these decreases, around 22,000 people aged under 75 still die each year. Deaths in this age group are more common in deprived areas than in areas of low deprivation. In 2007, under 75 deaths amongst those living in the most deprived decile were 3.9 times more likely than those living in the least deprived decile. Recent reductions in premature mortality have been observed across the population. Whilst inequalities have been stable in absolute terms (as demonstrated by the absolute range), improvements observed in deprived areas have not been as great as those observed elsewhere in Scotland resulting in a widening of inequalities in relative terms (as demonstrated by RII).

Inequalities gradient in the most recent year available

All cause mortality amongst those aged <75y by Income-Employment Index: Scotland 2007
(European Age-Standardised Rates per 100,000)

Relative Index of Inequality ( RII) over time

Relative Index of Inequality ( RII): All cause mortality <75y - Scotland 1997-2007
( RII = SII divided by population mean rate)

Absolute range over time

Absolute range: All cause mortality <75y - Scotland 1997-2007
(European Age-Standardised Rates per 100,000)

Scale / context

Mental Wellbeing ( WEMWBS) - adults aged 16 years and over

Summary

There is a clear difference in mean WEMWBS scores in terms of deprivation. Those in the most deprived decile reported a lower mean score (indicating lower mental wellbeing) than those in the highest decile (a difference of 4.7 between the lowest and highest deciles). The Relative Index of Inequality was 0.10. As a single figure this is relatively meaningless on its own. In future years this measure will be useful to indicate whether relative inequalities are increasing or decreasing.

Inequalities Gradient in the most recent year available

Mean WEMWBS Score (16+years) by Income-Employment Index: Scotland 2008

Relative Index of Inequality ( RII) over time

Relative Index of Inequality ( RII): Mean WEMWBS Score: Scotland 2008
( RII = SII divided by population mean rate)

Absolute range over time

Absolute range: Mean WEMWBS Score: Scotland 2008

Scale / Context

Low Birthweight

Summary

• Inequalities are narrowing in both absolute and relative terms

Between 1998 and 2008, the number and percentage of low birthweight babies has been relatively stable. Around 3,000 low birthweight babies are born each year (around 6% of total live, full term, singleton births in Scotland). Low birthweight babies are more common in deprived areas than in areas of low deprivation, and in 2008 babies in the most deprived decile were 2.2 times more likely to have a low birthweight than those in the least deprived decile. However, inequalities have narrowed in absolute terms (as demonstrated by the absolute range), and have narrowed in relative terms (as demonstrated by the RII).

Inequalities gradient in the most recent year available

Low birthweight babies by Income-Employment Index: Scotland 2008^p
(As a percentage of all live singleton births)

Relative Index of Inequality ( RII) over time

Relative Index of Inequality ( RII): Low birthweight babies - Scotland 1998-2008^p
( RII = SII divided by population mean rate)

Absolute range over time

Absolute range: Low birthweight babies - Scotland 1998-2008^p
(As a percentage of all live singleton births)

Scale / context

P = Provisional

Coronary Heart Disease - first ever hospital admission for heart attack aged under 75 years

Summary

• Inequalities have decreased in both absolute and relative terms in recent years but increased slightly in the latest year
  

Between 1997 and 2007, there has been a considerable decrease in rates of first hospital admission for heart attack amongst those aged under 75 years as a whole - rates fell by 50.3% (but note that rates increased slightly between 2005 and 2006, and fell again in 2007). Despite these decreases, around 3,300 new cases are still admitted to hospital for heart attack each year. Hospital admissions for heart attack amongst the under 75s are more common in deprived areas than in areas of low deprivation. In 2007, adults aged under 75 years in the most deprived decile were 1.9 times more likely to be admitted to hospital for heart attack than those in the least deprived decile. Reductions in admissions for heart attack amongst the under 75s have been observed across the population, but slightly more so in the more deprived areas. Both absolute and relative inequalities decreased between 2003 and 2006, but increased slightly in 2007 due to a reduction in AMI rates in the least deprived areas.

Inequalities gradient in the most recent year available

Hospital admissions for heart attack amongst those aged <75y by Income- Employment Index: Scotland 2007
(European Age-Standardised Rates per 100,000)

Relative Index of Inequality ( RII) over time

Relative Index of Inequality ( RII): Hospital admissions for heart attack <75y - Scotland 1997-2007
( RII = SII divided by population mean rate)

Absolute range over time

Absolute range: Hospital admissions for heart attack <75y - Scotland 1997-2007
(European Age-Standardised Rates per 100,000)

Scale / context

Please note that all data for this indicator have been revised from last year's report due to the discovery of a coding error.

Coronary Heart Disease ( CHD) - deaths aged 45-74 years

Summary

• Inequalities have narrowed in absolute terms but are widening in relative terms
  

Between 1997 and 2007, there has been a considerable decrease in CHD mortality amongst the population aged 45-74 years as a whole - rates fell by 46.5%. However, CHD remains one of Scotland's biggest causes of premature mortality, with around 3,400 deaths occurring in this age group each year. Premature mortality from CHD is more prevalent in deprived areas than in areas of low deprivation. In 2007, adults in the most deprived decile were 4.3 times more likely to die from CHD aged 45-74 years than those in the least deprived decile. Recent reductions in CHD mortality have been observed across the population. Whilst inequalities have narrowed in absolute terms (as demonstrated by the absolute range), improvements observed in deprived areas have not been as great as those observed in Scotland overall resulting in a widening of inequalities in relative terms (as demonstrated by the RII).

Inequalities gradient in the most recent year available

CHD mortality amongst those aged 45-74y by Income-Employment Index: Scotland 2007
(European Age-Standardised Rates per 100,000)

Relative Index of Inequality ( RII) over time

Relative Index of Inequality ( RII): CHD mortality 45-74y - Scotland 1997-2007
( RII = SII divided by population mean rate)

Absolute range over time

Absolute range: CHD mortality 45-74 years - Scotland 1997-2007
(European Age-Standardised Rates per 100,000)

Scale / context

Cancer - incidence rate aged under 75 years

Summary

• Inequalities are stable in both absolute and relative terms
  

Between 1996 and 2006, there has been a 7.7% decrease in rates of new cases of cancer amongst those aged under 75 years as a whole. Despite these decreases, around 18,000 new cases of cancer are still diagnosed each year. Cancer diagnoses amongst the under 75s are more common in deprived areas than in areas of low deprivation. In 2006, adults aged under 75 years in the most deprived decile were 1.5 times more likely to be diagnosed with cancer than those in the least deprived decile. Reductions in new cases of cancer amongst the under 75s have been observed across the population, with little discernible difference by deprivation. Inequalities have been stable in absolute terms and also in relative terms (as demonstrated by the absolute range and RII respectively, which have both been stable, albeit with some fluctuation from one year to the next).

Inequalities gradient in the most recent year available

Cancer incidence amongst those aged <75y by Income-Employment Index: Scotland 2006
(European Age-Standardised Rates per 100,000)

Relative Index of Inequality ( RII) over time

Relative Index of Inequality ( RII): Cancer incidence <75y - Scotland 1996-2006
( RII = SII divided by population mean rate)

Absolute range over time

Absolute range: Cancer incidence <75y - Scotland 1996-2006
(European Age-Standardised Rates per 100,000)

Scale / context

Cancer - deaths aged 45-74 years

Summary

• Inequalities are increasing both in absolute and relative terms
  

Between 1997 and 2007, there has been a 13.8% decrease in rates of death from cancer amongst those aged 45-74 years as a whole. Despite these decreases, around 7,500 people aged 45-74 years still die from cancer each year. Cancer deaths in this age group are more common in deprived areas than in areas of low deprivation. In 2007, adults aged 45-74 years in the most deprived decile were 2.6 times more likely to die from cancer than those in the least deprived decile. Reductions in cancer deaths amongst those aged 45-74 years have been observed across the population. Inequalities have increased both in relative and absolute terms.

Inequalities gradient in the most recent year available

Cancer mortality amongst those aged 45-74y by Income-Employment Index: Scotland 2007
(European Age-Standardised Rates per 100,000)

Relative Index of Inequality ( RII) over time

Relative Index of Inequality ( RII): Cancer mortality 45-74y - Scotland 1997-2007
( RII = SII divided by population mean rate)

Absolute range over time

Absolute range: Cancer mortality 45-74y - Scotland 1997-2007
(European Age-Standardised Rates per 100,000)

Scale / context

Alcohol - first ever hospital admission aged under 75 years

Summary

• Inequalities are stable both in absolute and relative terms
  

Between 1997 and 2007, there has been a 22.7% increase in rates of new hospital admissions for alcohol related conditions amongst those aged under 75 years as a whole. Numbers have risen such that around 16,000 new cases aged under 75 years are now being admitted to hospital for alcohol related conditions each year. Alcohol related admissions amongst those aged under 75 years are more common in deprived areas than in areas of low deprivation. In 2007, adults aged under 75 years in the most deprived decile were 5.5 times more likely to be admitted to hospital (as a new case) with an alcohol related condition than those in the least deprived decile. Increases in alcohol related admissions amongst those aged under 75 years have been observed across the population, with no discernible variation by deprivation. Inequalities have been stable in absolute terms and also in relative terms (as demonstrated by the absolute range and RII respectively, which have both been stable, albeit with some fluctuation from one year to the next).

Inequalities gradient in the most recent year available

Alcohol related hospital admissions amongst those aged <75 years by Income-Employment Index: Scotland 2007
(European Age-Standardised Rates per 100,000)

Relative Index of Inequality ( RII) over time

Relative index of inequality ( RII): Alcohol related hospital admissions <75y - Scotland 1997-2007
( RII = SII divided by population mean rate)

Absolute range over time

Absolute range: Alcohol related hospital admissions <75y - Scotland 1997-2007
(European Age-Standardised Rates per 100,000)

Scale / context

Please note that all years and numbers have been revised, based on revised ICD coding(see Annex 2).

Alcohol - deaths aged 45-74 years

Summary

• Inequalities are increasing both in absolute and relative terms
  

Between 1998 and 2007, there has been a 15.1 increase in rates of death from alcohol related conditions amongst those aged under 45-74 years as a whole. Numbers have risen to around 1,800 deaths per year in this age group dying from alcohol related conditions. There are more alcohol related deaths amongst those aged 45-74 years in deprived areas than in areas of low deprivation. In 2007, adults aged 45-74 years in the most deprived decile were 13.5 times more likely to die from an alcohol related condition than those in the least deprived decile. Increases in alcohol related deaths amongst those aged 45-74 years have been observed across the population, but particularly so in deprived areas. Inequalities have increased in both absolute and relative terms (as demonstrated by the absolute range and RII respectively, which have both broadly increased, albeit with some fluctuation from one year to the next).

Inequalities gradient in the most recent year available

Alcohol related mortality amongst those aged 45-74y by Income-Employment Index: Scotland 2007
(European Age-Standardised Rates per 100,000)

Relative Index of Inequality ( RII) over time

Relative Index of Inequality ( RII): Alcohol related mortality 45-74y - Scotland 1997-2007
( RII = SII divided by population mean rate)

Absolute range over time

Absolute range: Alcohol related mortality 45-74y - Scotland 1998-2007
(European Age-Standardised Rates per 100,000)

Scale / context

All-cause mortality aged 15-44 years

Summary

• Inequalities have increased both in absolute and relative terms
  

Between 1997 and 2007, rates of death have been stable amongst those aged 15-44 years as a whole. Within this age group, rates of drug related deaths have doubled by over the same period (to around 400 deaths per year), rates of death from assault have stayed the same (around 50 deaths per year) and rates of death from suicide have dropped by 9% (to around 450 deaths per year). However, note that the relatively small numbers involved mean that comparison of numbers for single years should be interpreted with caution as there will be natural fluctuation from one year to the next. Deaths amongst those aged 15-44 years are more common in deprived areas than in areas of low deprivation. In 2007, adults aged 15-44 years in the most deprived decile were 7.4 times more likely to die than those in the least deprived decile. Whilst the overall rate of death in this age group has remained stable over this period, rates have increased in deprived areas. Inequalities have therefore increased in both absolute and relative terms (as demonstrated by the absolute range and RII respectively, albeit with some fluctuation from one year to the next).

Inequalities gradient in the most recent year available

Mortality amongst those aged 15-44 years, by Income-Employment Index:Scotland 2007
(European Age-Standardised Rates per 100,000)

Relative Index of Inequality ( RII) over time

Relative index of inequality ( RII): mortality aged 15-44y - Scotland 1997-2007
( RII= SII divided by population mean rate)

Absolute range over time

Absolute range: Mortality 15-44y - Scotland 1997-2007
(European Age-Standardised Rates per 100,000)

Scale / context

Please note that all data have been revised due to an error in annual numbers.