Socioeconomic inequality and meningococcal disease.
Incidence of meningococcal disease was associated with socioeconomic deprivation across a rural English region. In young children the incidence was twice as high in the most deprived compared with the least deprived electoral wards. By addressing social inequalities the incidence of this serious infection could be reduced.
Stuart
J M
JM
Communicable Disease Surveillance Centre (South West), Public Health Laboratory, Gloucestershire Royal Hospital, Gloucester GL1 3NN. jstuart@phls.org.uk
Middleton
N
N
Gunnell
D J
DJ
D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004739:England / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008589:Meningococcal Infections / Q000453:epidemiology*; D016012:Poisson Distribution; D011159:Population Surveillance; D011204:Poverty Areas; D012307:Risk Factors; D012423:Rural Health; D012923:Social Class