title: Mortality mapping in Hong Kong, 1979-83 and 1984-88: the patterns of major non-malignant diseases.
abstract: We examined the spatial patterns of mortality from various non-malignant diseases in Hong Kong during the two quinquennia, 1979-83 and 1984-88. Population data and parameters reflecting socioeconomic factors, including ethnic backgrounds, were selected from census data. Mortality data were obtained from death registration files. The standardized mortality ratios (SMRs) for major diseases were calculated for 27 census districts. The rankings of the districts' SMRs were shown in map form. Correlations were calculated between the districts' SMRs for the diseases, between them and the SMRs for cancers, and between them and socioeconomic and ethnic parameters. Many spatial patterns and correlations showed consistency and were biologically plausible. These results showed that mapping for a rapidly growing city such as Hong Kong could be a valuable exercise for detecting "at risk" populations where causal factors for non-malignant diseases can be investigated and identified for possible elimination.
authors.affiliation: Department of Community and Family Medicine, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Lek Yuen Health Centre, Shatin, New Territories, Hong Kong.
authors.forename: T S
authors.initials: TS
authors.lastname: Yu
authors.forename: S L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Wong
authors.forename: T W
authors.initials: TW
authors.lastname: Wong
authors.forename: O L
authors.initials: OL
authors.lastname: Lloyd
mesh_terms: D002423:Cause of Death; D003644:Death Certificates; D005163:Factor Analysis, Statistical; D005260:Female; D006723:Hong Kong / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009026:Mortality / Q000639:trends*; D011159:Population Surveillance / Q000379:methods*; D012307:Risk Factors; D017678:Sex Distribution; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors