[Inequalities in mortality in Seville [Spain]].
OBJECTIVE
To describe social inequalities in mortality in Seville from 1994 to 1998 according to socioeconomic status.


METHODS
Life expectancy, crude and age-adjusted rates of total mortality as well as mortality by causes and potential years of life lost were estimated using the number of deaths and the population of Seville, aggregated by Basic Health Areas (BHA). BHA were divided in three levels according to the unemployment rate among men. The relative risks of total mortality and mortality by causes were estimated for men and women in each of these levels, using Poisson regression. The unemployment rate of each of the BHA was related to total mortality and to some of its causes.


RESULTS
Differences in life expectancy of up to 7.9 years for men and 4.6 years for women were found among BHA. Concerning potential years of life lost, the areas with the highest mortality showed 4.1 times greater mortality in men and 2.6 times greater mortality in women than those with the lowest mortality. Total mortality increased with unemployment rate: the BHA with the highest unemployment rate showed a 15% increase in mortality in men and a 6% increase in that in women than those with the lowest unemployment rate. Among causes of mortality, AIDS showed the greatest inequalities in both men and women.


CONCLUSIONS
From 1994 to 1998, Seville presented inequalities in total mortality and premature mortality, as well as in mortality by causes per BHA. Inequalities were present in men and women, although they were greater in men. There was a clear association between socioeconomic variables and mortality.
Consejería de Salud de la Junta de Andalucía, Seville, Spain. miguel.ruiz.ext@juntadeanadlucia.es
Miguel
M
Ruiz-Ramos
José
J
Sánchez
Gloria
G
Garrucho
Francisco
F
Viciana
D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000401:mortality; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002391:Catchment Area, Health; D002423:Cause of Death; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008017:Life Expectancy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009026:Mortality; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013030:Spain / Q000453:epidemiology; D014478:Unemployment / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014504:Urban Health / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*