Long-Term Monitoring of Health Inequalities: Headline Indicators - October 2012

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

Summary

• Inequalities are narrowing in absolute terms and, following a long-term increase, have begun to stabilise in relative terms

Between 1997 and 2010, there has been a considerable decrease in CHD mortality amongst the population aged 45-74 years as a whole - rates fell by 57%. However, CHD remains one of Scotland's biggest causes of premature mortality, with around 2,800 deaths occurring in this age group. Premature mortality from CHD is around four times more common in the most deprived areas than the least deprived areas (258 deaths per 100,000 population compared to 64 per 100,000, in 2010). The level of inequality in absolute terms has fallen consistently over time. However, between 1997 and 2007 the death rate fell more quickly in the least deprived areas than in the most deprived areas, resulting in a widening of relative inequality. This trend has stabilised since 2007 as greater improvements have been seen in the most deprived areas.

Inequalities gradient in the most recent year available

Relative Index of Inequality (RII) over time

Absolute range over time

Scale / context