Non-compensatory aggregation method to measure social and material deprivation in an urban area: relationship with premature mortality

Eur J Health Econ. 2020 Apr;21(3):381-396. doi: 10.1007/s10198-019-01139-x. Epub 2019 Dec 6.

Abstract

Health inequalities exist between nations, regions, and even smaller units. In societies where social and economic structures change rapidly and continuously, analysis of health socioeconomic determinants plays a fundamental role to provide proper policy answers. This study aims to measure accurately two different conceptions of deprivation by developing two different indexes using non-compensatory among sub-indicators aggregation methods. The proposed indicators are compared with premature mortality to verify deprivation's effect on health status. The results show that materially deprived areas are not necessarily socially deprived and vice versa. Material deprivation has a positive statistical co-graduation with premature mortality, while social deprivation has no association with premature mortality.

Keywords: Deprivation indexes; Health inequalities; Pena distance; Socioeconomic inequalities; Socioeconomic status.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study

MeSH terms

  • Geography
  • Health Status Disparities*
  • Humans
  • Italy / epidemiology
  • Models, Statistical
  • Mortality, Premature* / trends
  • Psychosocial Deprivation*
  • Risk Factors
  • Socioeconomic Factors
  • Urban Population