Long-term monitoring of health inequalities: December 2017

Update of long-term indicators of health inequalities, such as healthy birth weight and alcohol-related hospital admissions.

This document is part of a collection


Inequalities in morbidity and mortality indicators

The relative index of inequality ( RII) indicates the extent to which health outcomes are worse in the most deprived areas compared to the average throughout Scotland. While comparisons of RII between indicators are possible, they should be made with some caution, in particular where absolute values are significantly higher or lower in the compared indicators or where the measurement scale differs (for example, relative inequalities in Mental Wellbeing scores, which are based on responses to survey questions, compared to relative inequalities in an age-standardised mortality rate).

The following charts group indicators in this report into broadly comparable categories: the first shows hospital admissions and incidence of conditions for people belonging to the under 75 age group; while the second shows mortality rates in the 45-74 age group for three causes of death.

Although relative inequalities in heart attack hospital admissions have increased in recent years, inequalities have remained highest in alcohol-related admissions throughout the period covered by this report. Inequalities in cancer incidence have remained relatively stable.

Figure 3.1 Relative Index of Inequality ( RII) Selected morbidity indicators (ages <75 years) Scotland 1997-2016
Figure 3.1 Relative Index of Inequality (RII) Selected morbidity indicators (ages <75 years) Scotland 1997-2016

Relative inequalities in CHD mortality among adults aged 45-74 have increased over the long term. Relative inequalities for alcohol-related deaths have shown more year to year fluctuation over the same period, and are currently very similar to at the start of the time series (1.89 vs 1.88)

Although RII in cancer mortality has increased slightly over the longer term, inequalities remain widest in alcohol-related deaths and coronary heart disease deaths.

Figure 3.2 Relative Index of Inequality ( RII) Mortality indicators (ages 45-74 years) Scotland 1997-2016
Figure 3.2 Relative Index of Inequality (RII) Mortality indicators (ages 45-74 years) Scotland 1997-2016

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

Trends in heart attack hospital admissions

In 2016, around 4,500 new cases of heart attack (for those aged under 75 years) were recorded in Scottish hospitals.

The rate of admissions is currently 37% lower than in 1997 and has shown a downward trend since 2012. However, this recent improvement follows significant increases between 2007 and 2012 and the rate of admissions is currently higher than the low point seen in 2007.

Inequalities in hospital heart attack hospital admissions, 2016

The latest admission rate in Scotland's most deprived areas is 2.6 times greater than that of the least deprived (147.2 cases per 100,000 compared to 56.7 per 100,000).

Figure 4.1 Hospital admissions for heart attack among those aged <75y by Income-Employment Index, Scotland 2016 (European Age-Standardised Rates per 100,000)
Figure 4.1 Hospital admissions for heart attack among those aged <75y by Income-Employment Index, Scotland 2016 (European Age-Standardised Rates per 100,000)

Trends in relative inequalities

Relative inequality levels for heart attack hospital admissions have fluctuated over time. The RII for 2016 (1.00) is higher than that at the start of the time series (0.82)

Figure 4.2 Relative Index of Inequality ( RII): Hospital admissions for heart attack <75y, Scotland 1997-2016
Figure 4.2 Relative Index of Inequality (RII): Hospital admissions for heart attack <75y Scotland 1997-2016

Heart attack hospital admission rates (aged < 75) have generally been 2-3 times higher in the most deprived areas compared to the least deprived areas. In 2016, rates are 2.6 times higher in the most deprived areas than in the least deprived.

Trends in absolute inequalities

The absolute gap is currently lower than at the start of the time series in 1997. However, absolute inequalities have fluctuated over that time, with the gap at its narrowest between 2006 and 2008.

Figure 4.3 Absolute Gap: Hospital admissions for heart attack <75y, Scotland 1997-2016 (European Age-Standardised Rates per 100,000)
Figure 4.3 Absolute Gap: Hospital admissions for heart attack <75y Scotland 1997-2016 (European Age-Standardised Rates per 100,000)

In 2016, the heart attack admission rate in the most deprived areas was 147.2 per 100,000, compared to a rate of 56.7 per 100,000 in the least deprived areas (a gap of 90.5 per 100,000).

The gap was largest in 1997, when the admissions rate was 216.5 per 100,000 and 101.9 per 100,000 in the most and least deprived areas respectively (a gap of 114.6 per 100,000).

Table 4.1: Trends in heart attack hospital admissions (aged <75), 1997-2016

Total admissions Population Rate per 100,000 ( EASR)
1997 5,764 4,740,269 145.1
1998 5,676 4,729,975 141.5
1999 5,101 4,721,298 126.6
2000 4,812 4,708,667 118.4
2001 4,776 4,703,661 116.9
2002 4,833 4,701,958 116.6
2003 4,569 4,702,431 109.0
2004 4,413 4,714,233 103.9
2005 4,047 4,735,320 94.2
2006 3,750 4,752,425 86.4
2007 3,549 4,783,452 80.4
2008 3,655 4,811,453 81.7
2009 3,851 4,835,007 84.9
2010 4,377 4,858,058 95.4
2011 4,537 4,888,316 97.7
2012 4,747 4,895,114 100.8
2013 4,697 4,903,074 98.8
2014 4,503 4,914,362 93.4
2015 4,521 4,935,283 92.8
2016 4,521 4,962,391 91.5

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

Trends in CHD deaths

Since 1997, there has been a considerable decrease in CHD mortality amongst the population aged 45-74 years. At 124.7 per 100,000, the death rate for this age group is one third what it was in 1997. However, CHD remains one of Scotland's biggest causes of premature mortality, and accounted for around 2,500 deaths amongst those aged 45-74 years.

Inequalities in CHD deaths, 2016

In 2016, the CHD mortality rate was 4.6 times greater in Scotland's most deprived areas compared to the least deprived (238.6 compared to 52.3 deaths per 100,000 population).

Figure 5.1 CHD mortality amongst those aged 45-74y by Income-Employment Index, Scotland 2016 (European Age-Standardised Rates per 100,000)
Figure 5.1 CHD mortality amongst those aged 45-74y by Income-Employment Index, Scotland 2016 (European Age-Standardised Rates per 100,000)

Trends in relative inequalities

Relative inequalities in CHD mortality have grown over the longer term. In particular, there was steady growth between 1997 and 2008. RII is currently at its highest point in the time series.

Figure 5.2 Relative Index of Inequality ( RII): CHD mortality 45-74y, Scotland 1997-2016
Figure 5.2 Relative Index of Inequality (RII): CHD mortality 45-74y Scotland 1997-2016

Since 1997, CHD mortality rates have typically been 3-4 times higher in the most deprived areas compared to the least deprived areas. In the last three years, rates were 5 times higher in deprived areas.

Trends in absolute inequalities

In contrast to relative inequality, absolute inequality has reduced over the longer term from a high in 1998. The current gap is roughly half what it was in 1998.

Figure 5.3 Absolute Gap: CHD mortality 45-74 years, Scotland 1997-2016 (European Age-Standardised Rates per 100,000)
Figure 5.3 Absolute Gap: CHD mortality 45-74 years, Scotland 1997-2016 (European Age-Standardised Rates per 100,000)

Table 5.1: Trends in coronary heart disease deaths (aged 45-74), 1997-2016

Number of deaths Target population size Rate per 100,000 ( EASR)
1997 5,887 1,635,590 372.5
1998 5,675 1,646,711 357.9
1999 5,389 1,658,124 338.9
2000 4,858 1,670,660 303.9
2001 4,483 1,687,422 279.3
2002 4,310 1,706,141 265.9
2003 4,197 1,727,112 256.3
2004 3,840 1,751,037 232.3
2005 3,721 1,774,865 222.3
2006 3,393 1,799,382 200.8
2007 3,374 1,827,320 196.6
2008 3,155 1,856,874 180.9
2009 2,857 1,885,693 160.7
2010 2,811 1,914,226 156.6
2011 2,592 1,941,253 142.6
2012 2,584 1,964,203 139.7
2013 2,515 1,986,202 133.7
2014 2,358 2,007,988 123.1
2015 2,463 2,026,210 127.4
2016 2,467 2,047,858 124.7

Cancer - incidence rate aged under 75 years

Trends in cancer incidence

Cancer incidence among people aged under 75 has been increasing in recent years. Other than a slight drop seen in the most recently available year (2015), cancer incidence has increased each year since 2005. In 2015, there were around 21,000 new cases.

This is explained in part by Scotland's ageing population. The age-standardised cancer incidence rate, although currently higher than 2005, shows a less consistent trend.

Inequalities in cancer incidence, 2015

In 2015, there were 543.3 cases per 100,000 people in the most deprived areas, compared to 383.8 per 100,000 in the least deprived.

Figure 6.1 Cancer incidence amongst those aged <75y by Income-Employment Index, Scotland 2015 (European Age-Standardised Rates per 100,000)
Figure 6.1 Cancer incidence amongst those aged <75y by Income-Employment Index,Scotland 2015 (European Age-Standardised Rates per 100,000)

Cancer incidence is more common in the most deprived areas of Scotland. However, this is not the case for all types of cancer. [2] This is driven in part by variations in screening uptake, leading to socially patterned rises in cancer incidence and, in turn, cancer survival for some types of cancer in the least deprived areas.

As has been the case previously, of the most common types of cancer, the absolute gap between most and least deprived areas was largest for cancer of the trachea, bronchus and lung (2015 rates were 128.9 and 33.9 per 100,000 population in the most and least deprived areas respectively).

Trends in relative inequalities

Changes in the relative index of inequality over time have been minimal and show no clear pattern, fluctuating between 0.29 and 0.40.

Figure 6.2 Relative Index of Inequality ( RII): Cancer incidence <75y, Scotland 1996-2015
Figure 6.2 Relative Index of Inequality (RII): Cancer incidence <75y Scotland 1996-2015

Incidence rates have typically been 30-50% higher in the most deprived areas in Scotland compared to the least deprived (42% in 2014).

Trends in absolute inequalities

Absolute inequality levels in cancer incidence have fluctuated over time. Rates in both the least and most deprived areas of Scotland have shown no clear pattern.

Figure 6.3 Absolute Gap: Cancer incidence <75y, Scotland 1996-2015 (European Age-Standardised Rates per 100,000)
Figure 6.3 Absolute Gap: Cancer incidence <75y, Scotland 1996-2015 (European Age-Standardised Rates per 100,000)

The gap was widest in 2004 (rates of 551.1 per 100,000 and 372.9 per 100,000 in the most and least deprived areas, respectively) but the adjacent years of 2003 and 2005 displayed relatively narrow gaps.

Table 6.1: Trends in cancer incidence (aged < 75), 1997-2015

Number of new cases Target population size Rate per 100,000 ( EASR)
1996 18,128 4,754,906 452.7
1997 17,167 4,740,269 427.4
1998 17,109 4,729,975 424.3
1999 16,914 4,721,298 417.5
2000 17,138 4,708,667 420.6
2001 17,147 4,703,661 418.9
2002 17,530 4,701,958 423.6
2003 17,574 4,702,431 420.8
2004 18,159 4,714,233 430.3
2005 17,987 4,735,320 421.9
2006 18,167 4,752,425 423.3
2007 18,775 4,783,452 430.8
2008 19,449 4,811,453 439.7
2009 19,999 4,835,007 446.6
2010 20,015 4,858,058 441.9
2011 20,208 4,888,316 441.3
2012 20,296 4,895,114 436.8
2013 20,598 4,903,074 437.7
2014 21,064 4,914,362 442.4
2015 20,888 4,935,283 433.5

Cancer- deaths aged 45-74 years

Trends in cancer deaths

The cancer mortality rate amongst those aged 45-74 years has fallen by around 30% since 1996 (from 529.8 to 373.5 per 100,000 population, in 2016). The number of deaths each year has also reduced in this period, from around 8,400 to 7,400.

Inequalities in cancer deaths, 2016

Of people in the 45-74 year age group, those in Scotland's most deprived areas are more than twice as likely to die of cancer than those in the least deprived (577.4 deaths per 100,000 population compared to 242.4 per 100,000 population, in 2016).

Figure 7.1 Cancer mortality amongst those aged 45-74y by Income-Employment Index, Scotland 2016 (European Age-Standardised Rates per 100,000)
Figure 7.1 Cancer mortality amongst those aged 45-74y by Income-Employment Index, Scotland 2016 (European Age-Standardised Rates per 100,000)

As is the case for cancer incidence, inequality levels vary when examining deaths by cancer type [3] . As described in the previous section, variations in screening uptake may lead to socially patterned rises in cancer incidence and, in turn, cancer survival (therefore having a possible effect on mortality) for some types of cancer.

The most considerable differences between rates in the most and least deprived areas are again observed for cancer of the trachea, bronchus and lung (202.0 compared to 42.4 per 100,000 population).

Trends in relative inequalities

Relative inequalities for this indicator have increased over time with the five highest value in the time series coming in the last five years. The latest RII figure (0.90) compares with a range of 0.68-0.81 seen in the years between 1997 and 2006.

Figure 7.2 Relative Index of Inequality ( RII): Cancer mortality 45-74y, Scotland 1996-2016
Figure 7.2 Relative Index of Inequality (RII): Cancer mortality 45-74y Scotland 1996-2016

Each year since 2013, cancer mortality rates (aged 45-74) have been 2.4 times higher in the most deprived compared to least deprived areas. In 1996, rates were 2.0 times higher in the most deprived areas.

Trends in absolute inequalities

Levels of absolute inequality for cancer deaths have fluctuated since 1997. The gap was narrowest in 2010 when rates were 310.3 per 100,000 in the least deprived areas and 615.1 in the most deprived areas.

Figure 7.3 Absolute Gap: Cancer mortality 45-74y, Scotland 1996-2016 (European Age-Standardised Rates per 100,000)
Figure 7.3 Absolute Gap: Cancer mortality 45-74y, Scotland 1996-2016 (European Age-Standardised Rates per 100,000)

Table 7.1: Trends in cancer mortality (aged 45-74), 1997-2016

Number of deaths Target population size Rate per 100,000 ( EASR)
1996 8,402 1,631,224 529.8
1997 8,068 1,635,590 509.1
1998 7,995 1,646,711 501.9
1999 7,904 1,658,124 494.4
2000 7,776 1,670,660 484.8
2001 7,903 1,687,422 489.2
2002 7,850 1,706,141 481.2
2003 7,706 1,727,112 467.4
2004 7,678 1,751,037 460.9
2005 7,606 1,774,865 451.8
2006 7,486 1,799,382 441.3
2007 7,569 1,827,320 439.5
2008 7,536 1,856,874 431.0
2009 7,481 1,885,693 421.2
2010 7,394 1,914,226 411.1
2011 7,428 1,941,253 408.5
2012 7,514 1,964,203 406.2
2013 7,520 1,986,202 399.8
2014 7,445 2,007,988 389.6
2015 7,621 2,026,210 392.9
2016 7,385 2,047,858 373.5

Alcohol - first hospital admission aged under 75 years

Trends in alcohol-related admissions

The hospital admission rate for alcohol-related conditions amongst those aged under 75 years has fallen over time, with a 24% decrease between 1996 and 2016 (289.8 and 219.1 cases per 100,000 respectively).

Inequalities in alcohol-related admissions, 2016

Alcohol-related admissions are 6 times more common in the most deprived areas of Scotland compared to the least (502.2 compared to 82.4 cases per 100,000).

Figure 8.1 Alcohol related hospital admissions amongst those aged <75y by Income-Employment Index, Scotland 2016 (European Age-Standardised Rates per 100,000)
Figure 8.1 Alcohol related hospital admissions amongst those aged <75y by Income-Employment Index, Scotland 2016 (European Age-Standardised Rates per 100,000)

Trends in relative inequalities

A general downward trend was observed in relative inequalities for alcohol-related admissions between 1997 and 2008 ( RII declining from 1.90 to 1.70). There followed a period of relatively little overall change until the most recent figure (1.84), which is the highest since 2003.

Figure 8.2 Relative Index of Inequality ( RII): Alcohol related hospital admissions <75y, Scotland 1996-2016
Figure 8.2 Relative Index of Inequality (RII): Alcohol related hospital admissions <75y Scotland 1996-2016

In 1997, alcohol-related admission rates were 7 times higher in the most deprived areas compared to the least deprived. For the seven years prior to 2016, rates were around 5 times higher in the most deprived areas compared to the least deprived. In 2016 they were 6 times higher.

Trends in absolute inequalities

Absolute inequality in alcohol-related admissions has generally reduced over time, due to a reduction in admissions in the most deprived areas.

Figure 8.3 Absolute Gap: Alcohol related hospital admissions <75y, Scotland 1996-2016 (European Age-Standardised Rates per 100,000)
Figure 8.3 Absolute Gap: Alcohol related hospital admissions <75y Scotland 1996-2016 (European Age-Standardised Rates per 100,000)

Table 8.1: Trends in alcohol-related hospital admissions (aged < 75), 1997-2016

Number of admissions Target population size Rate per 100,000 ( EASR)
1996 12,787 4,754,906 289.8
1997 12,918 4,740,269 292.6
1998 13,316 4,729,975 300.7
1999 13,217 4,721,298 298.2
2000 12,786 4,708,667 286.6
2001 13,469 4,703,661 300.3
2002 13,492 4,701,958 299.9
2003 12,996 4,702,431 290.0
2004 14,084 4,714,233 312.5
2005 13,346 4,735,320 293.8
2006 13,595 4,752,425 295.3
2007 14,641 4,783,452 313.5
2008 14,222 4,811,453 302.3
2009 12,891 4,835,007 272.9
2010 12,307 4,858,058 258.7
2011 12,264 4,888,316 256.2
2012 11,556 4,895,114 240.9
2013 11,225 4,903,074 236.8
2014 10,767 4,914,362 223.4
2015 10,459 4,935,283 216.1
2016 10,753 4,962,391 219.1

Alcohol - deaths aged 45-74 years

Trends in alcohol-related deaths

Alcohol-related deaths among those aged 45-74 years fell from a peak of 1,899 in 2006 to a low of 1,435 in 2013. In the past three years, however, alcohol-related deaths have increased again. The figure for 2016 (1,831) is the second highest since the times series began in 1997.

Inequalities in alcohol-related deaths, 2016

The mortality rate in Scotland's most deprived areas is over 9 times higher than that observed in the least deprived (229.4 compared to 24.6 per 100,000 population).

Figure 9.1 Alcohol related mortality amongst those aged 45-74y by Income-Employment Index, Scotland 2016 (European Age-Standardised Rates per 100,000)
Figure 9.1 Alcohol related mortality amongst those aged 45-74y by Income-Employment Index,Scotland 2016 (European Age-Standardised Rates per 100,000)

Trends in relative inequalities

Relative inequalities in alcohol related deaths increased between 1997 and 2002 ( RII increasing from 1.88 to 2.23). Following recent fluctuations, relative inequalities are currently very similar to the start of the time series in 1997 (1.89 vs 1.88).

Figure 9.2 Relative Index of Inequality ( RII): Alcohol related mortality 45-74y, Scotland 1997-2016
Figure 9.2 Relative Index of Inequality (RII): Alcohol related mortality 45-74y Scotland 1997-2016

Over time the relative range between the most and least deprived areas has fluctuated, peaking in 2002 when death rates were more than twelve times higher in the most deprived areas.

Trends in absolute inequalities

Although alcohol-related deaths in the least deprived areas have remained reasonably static since 1997, there has been considerable fluctuation in deaths in the most deprived areas. This has largely driven fluctuations in the absolute gap.

Following notable highs in 2002 and 2006, and a recent low in 2013, the alcohol related mortality rate in the most deprived areas has increased in each of the past three years.

Figure 9.3 Absolute Gap: Alcohol related mortality 45-74y Scotland 1997-2016 (European Age-Standardised Rates per 100,000)
Figure 9.3 Absolute Gap: Alcohol related mortality 45-74y Scotland 1997-2016 (European Age-Standardised Rates per 100,000)

Table 9.1: Trends in alcohol-related deaths (aged 45-74), 1997-2016

Number of deaths Target population size Rate per 100,000 ( EASR)
1997 1,318 1,635,590 81.1
1998 1,415 1,646,711 86.4
1999 1,508 1,658,124 91.5
2000 1,489 1,670,660 89.8
2001 1,565 1,687,422 93.5
2002 1,753 1,706,141 103.5
2003 1,749 1,727,112 102.1
2004 1,764 1,751,037 101.5
2005 1,790 1,774,865 101.6
2006 1,899 1,799,382 106.7
2007 1,801 1,827,320 99.5
2008 1,782 1,856,874 97.0
2009 1,611 1,885,693 86.4
2010 1,674 1,914,226 88.5
2011 1,571 1,941,253 82.4
2012 1,441 1,964,203 74.3
2013 1,435 1,986,202 73.0
2014 1,510 2,007,988 76.0
2015 1,665 2,026,210 83.2
2016 1,831 2,047,858 90.0

Premature Mortality (aged 15-44 years)

Trends in all-cause mortality aged 15-44

The mortality rate of those aged 15-44 was lower in 2016 than at the start of the time series in 1997.

However, having reduced each year between 2006 and 2014, the rate has increased in the last two years. At 112.5 per 100,00 population, the rate for 2016 is the highest it has been since 2009.

There were a total of 2,194 deaths of people aged 15-44 in Scotland in 2016, compared with the peak of 2,566 in 2002.

The deaths in 2016 included 329 probable suicides, 568 drug-related deaths and 34 deaths from assault. While the rates of probable suicide and deaths from assault in this age group have generally declined in recent years, drug-related deaths have increased since 1997. In 2016, the drug-related death rate was 29.15 per 100,000, this compares with only 8.9 per 100,000 in 1997.

Inequalities in all-cause mortality aged 15-44, 2016

The mortality rate amongst people aged 15-44 years is 6 times higher in the most deprived areas (248.5 per 100,000) compared to the least deprived (43.4 per 100,000).

Figure 10.1 Mortality amongst those aged 15-44 years by Income-Employment Index, Scotland 2016 (European Age-Standardised Rates per 100,000)
Figure 10.1 Mortality amongst those aged 15-44 years by Income-Employment Index, Scotland 2016 (European Age-Standardised Rates per 100,000)

Trends in relative inequalities

Relative inequalities have increased over time and are currently at their highest point in the time series (1.84).

Since 1999, death rates have typically been between five and six times higher in the most deprived areas compared to the least deprived.

Figure 10.2 Relative index of inequality ( RII): mortality aged 15-44y, Scotland 1997-2016
Figure 10.2 Relative index of inequality (RII): mortality aged 15-44y Scotland 1997-2016

Trends in absolute inequalities

The absolute gap between the most and least deprived areas in all-cause mortality between ages 15 and 44 reached its lowest level in 2013, with death rates of 199.7 and 40.1 per 100,000 respectively (a gap of 159.6 per 100,000).

In each of the three years since 2013, the mortality rate between ages 15 and 44 in the most deprived areas has increased and the gap between the most and least deprived areas has widened to 205.1 per 100,000 in 2016.

Figure 10.3 Absolute Gap: Mortality 15-44y, Scotland 1997-2016 (European Age-Standardised Rates per 100,000)
Figure 10.3 Absolute Gap: Mortality 15-44y, Scotland 1997-2016 (European Age-Standardised Rates per 100,000)

Table 10.1: Trends in all-cause mortality (aged 15-44), 1997-2016

Number of all-causes deaths Target population size Rate per 100,000 ( EASR)
1997 2,440 2,158,030 116.3
1998 2,507 2,142,787 119.4
1999 2,507 2,129,794 119.0
2000 2,501 2,118,568 118.7
2001 2,509 2,111,242 119.0
2002 2,566 2,102,670 122.0
2003 2,461 2,094,408 116.9
2004 2,409 2,088,563 114.7
2005 2,305 2,091,415 109.3
2006 2,482 2,091,581 118.3
2007 2,461 2,097,902 117.5
2008 2,443 2,096,495 117.5
2009 2,389 2,092,065 115.1
2010 2,229 2,087,635 108.6
2011 2,262 2,092,311 110.8
2012 2,071 2,077,902 102.8
2013 1,990 2,064,867 100.1
2014 1,904 2,053,897 96.8
2015 1,976 2,053,401 101.2
2016 2,194 2,054,055 112.5

Table 10.2: Trends in deaths from assault, drug-related deaths and probable suicides, 1997-2016

Deaths from assault Drug related deaths Suicides
Number EASR per 100,000 Number EASR per 100,000 Number EASR per 100,000
1997 56 2.61 196 8.91 518 23.88
1998 65 3.03 227 10.56 526 24.44
1999 86 4.03 274 12.92 529 24.71
2000 60 2.85 268 12.69 541 25.60
2001 63 3.01 289 13.76 531 25.25
2002 76 3.63 345 16.72 539 25.73
2003 71 3.37 282 13.62 456 21.81
2004 78 3.77 311 15.24 475 22.67
2005 50 2.39 277 13.41 436 20.95
2006 83 3.99 350 17.14 435 20.93
2007 54 2.59 392 19.05 453 21.79
2008 53 2.54 477 23.29 480 23.35
2009 47 2.25 436 21.31 432 20.81
2010 54 2.57 384 18.88 423 20.53
2011 53 2.55 454 22.48 420 20.51
2012 37 1.85 416 20.75 375 18.34
2013 35 1.69 354 17.89 356 17.72
2014 22 1.04 416 21.11 309 15.37
2015 28 1.41 442 22.75 306 15.32
2016 34 1.72 568 29.15 329 16.23

Low Birthweight

Trends in low birthweight

Around 2,800 low birthweight babies were born in Scotland in 2016.

The percentage of babies born with low birthweight has ranged between 5.0% and 5.3% in the years since 2009. Between 1996 and 2008, the percentage varied between 5.5% and 6.0%.

Inequalities in low birthweight 2016

In 2016, 7.3% of live singleton births in the most deprived areas were recorded as low birthweight. This is more than double the percentage in the least deprived areas (3.3%).

Figure 11.1 Low birthweight babies in Scotland by Income-Employment index 2016 (as percentage of live singleton births)
Figure 11.1 Low birthweight babies in Scotland by Income-Employment index 2016 (as percentage of live singleton births)

Trends in relative inequalities

Relative inequalities in low birthweight are similar in 2016 to those observed at the start of the time series (0.81 and 0.84 respectively). Recent RII values have tended to be lower than those observed the start of the time series.

Figure 11.2 Relative index of inequality ( RII): Low birthweight babies in Scotland 1996-2016
Figure 11.2 Relative index of inequality (RII): Low birthweight babies in Scotland 1996-2016

Trends in absolute inequalities

Overall, the absolute gap between the most and deprived areas has reduced from its widest point in 2004 (5.7 percentage points). However, the gap has fluctuated in recent years and despite being lower in some of the intervening years, its current value (4.0 percentage points) is similar to that seen in 2007.

The narrowing and widening of the gap has tended to be driven by changes in the most deprived decile, as the least deprived decile has remained broadly stable since the beginning of the time series.

Figure 11.3 Absolute Gap:Low birthweight babies in Scotland 1996-2016 (as percentage of live singleton births)
Figure 11.3 Absolute Gap:Low birthweight babies in Scotland 1996-2016 (as percentage of live singleton births)

Table 11.1: Trends in low birthweight, 1996-2016

Number of low birthweight babies Target population size % of live singleton births
1996 3,066 55,861 5.5
1997 3,149 56,982 5.5
1998 3,108 55,152 5.6
1999 3,098 52,726 5.9
2000 2,906 51,057 5.7
2001 2,848 49,744 5.7
2002 2,910 48,950 5.9
2003 3,026 50,069 6.0
2004 3,030 51,807 5.8
2005 3,058 51,436 5.9
2006 2,939 52,467 5.6
2007 3,095 55,271 5.6
2008 3,134 56,925 5.5
2009 2,893 56,107 5.2
2010 2,816 56,123 5.0
2011 2,946 56,037 5.3
2012 2,775 55,369 5.0
2013 2,684 53,219 5.0
2014 2,770 54,315 5.1
2015 2,819 52,796 5.3
2016 2,751 52,348 5.3

Healthy Birthweight

Trends in healthy birthweight babies

In each year of the time series, either 89% or 90% of babies have been of healthy birthweight. For the past five years the value has been 90%.

Inequalities in healthy birthweight babies 2016

In 2016, there was only a marginal difference between the least and the most deprived areas in terms of the proportion of healthy births (90.4% versus 90.3%)

Figure 12.1 Babies appropriate for gestational age in Scotland by Income-Employment index 2016 (as percentage of live singleton births)
Figure 12.1 Babies appropriate for gestational age in Scotland by Income-Employment index 2016 (as percentage of live singleton births)

Trends in relative inequalities

Relative inequalities have been consistently low over the times series. The RII for 2016 is at 0.00, suggesting that there is no relative inequality for this indicator.

Figure 12.2 Relative index of inequality ( RII): Babies appropriate for gestational age in Scotland 1996-2016
Relative index of inequality (RII): Babies appropriate for gestational age in Scotland 1996-2016

Trends in absolute inequalities

The absolute gap between the percentage of healthy birthweight babies in the most and least deprived deciles has been consistently low across the full time series.

Figure 12.3 Absolute Babies appropriate for gestational age in Scotland 1996-2016 (as percentage of live singleton births) Figure 12.3 Absolute Babies appropriate for gestational age in Scotland 1996-2016 (as percentage of live singleton births)

Table 12.1: Trends in healthy birthweight, 1996-2016

Number appropriate for gestational age Target population size % of live singleton births
1996 49,989 55,759 89.7
1997 51,113 56,895 89.8
1998 49,303 55,075 89.5
1999 47,048 52,655 89.4
2000 45,292 50,978 88.8
2001 44,355 49,666 89.3
2002 43,571 48,853 89.2
2003 44,539 49,956 89.2
2004 45,842 51,694 88.7
2005 45,592 51,303 88.9
2006 46,678 52,330 89.2
2007 49,059 55,080 89.1
2008 50,658 56,733 89.3
2009 49,880 55,907 89.2
2010 50,236 56,027 89.7
2011 49,997 55,958 89.3
2012 49,454 55,249 89.5
2013 47,650 53,032 89.9
2014 48,598 53,964 90.1
2015 47,246 52,480 90.0
2016 46,635 51,799 90.0

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