Deprivation in England, 1971-2020

Measures of small area deprivation have played a major role in targeting resources in the UK. The English Index of Multiple Deprivation (IMD) is the official measure of small area deprivation in England and it has been used to allocate billions of pounds of government money. The success of schemes to reduce deprivation can only be assessed by measuring changes in deprivation over time. In addition, the effect of such schemes is likely to be a partly a function of the deprivation history of an area. More generally, the trajectory of deprivation, and not just its current state, is important in understanding the likely impacts of deprivation on those who live in deprived areas. This paper combines the strengths of the IMD as a broad-ranging measure based on administrative data (here, using the 2004, 2007, 2010, 2015 and 2019 indices) and the Townsend score derived from Census data for a much longer time period (1971 to 2011). In addition, benefit claimant count data are used as a proxy for unemployment following the national Covid-19 lockdowns. The paper identifies some major trends in small area deprivation and unemployment over the period 1971 to 2020 and it highlights some key similarities and differences between the Townsend score and the IMD and makes links to changes in unemployment in 2020. Areas with very long term deprivation are identified and the strong association between job losses following Covid-19 lockdown and deprivation histories is demonstrated. The analyses are used to argue that deprivation trajectories should be considered if effective strategies for reducing spatial inequalities are to be developed.

Incidence rate trends in childhood type 1 diabetes in Yorkshire, UK 1978-2007: effects of deprivation and age at diagnosis in the South Asian and non-South Asian populations

AIMS

Incidence of Type 1 diabetes in children is increasing worldwide. Earlier studies suggest that UK south Asian immigrants develop similar rates to the overall UK population, although incidence is lower in their country of origin. This study examines incidence rate trends of childhood Type 1 diabetes in Yorkshire 1978-2007, focusing on differences between south Asians and non-south Asians.

METHODS

Data from the population-based Yorkshire Register of Diabetes in Children and Young People were used to estimate incidence (per 100,000 childhood population < 15 years per year) of Type 1 diabetes, stratified by sex, age and ethnicity validated using two name-recognition programs. Age-sex standardized rates were calculated for 1978-2007 and assessed by ethnic-group and deprivation for 1990-2007. We used Poisson regression to assess incidence trends and predict rates until 2020.

RESULTS

From 1978-2007, 3912 children were diagnosed. Overall incidence was 18.1 per 100,000 childhood population (< 15 years) per year (95% CI17.6-18.7) and increased significantly over time: 13.2 (1978-1987) to 17.3 (1988-1997) to 24.2 (1998-2007). Average annual percentage change was 2.8% (2.5-3.2). Incidence for non-south Asians (21.5; 20.7-22.4) was significantly higher than for south Asians (14.7; 12.4-17.1). Average annual percentage change increased significantly over 18 years (1990-2007) in non-south Asians (3.4%; 2.7-4.2) compared with a non-significant rise of 1.5% (-1.5 to 4.6) in south Asians. Deprivation score did not affect overall incidence.

CONCLUSIONS

Type 1 diabetes incidence rose almost uniformly for non-south Asians, but not for south Asians, contrary to previous studies. Overall rates are predicted to rise by 52% from 2007 to 2020 to 39.0 per 100,000 per year.

Survival trends of cancer amongst the south Asian and non-south Asian population under 30 years of age in Yorkshire, UK

INTRODUCTION

Several studies have shown differences in survival trends between ethnic groups across adults with cancer in the UK. It is unclear whether these differences exist exclusively in the older adult population or whether they begin to emerge in children and young adults.

METHODS

Subjects (n=3534) diagnosed with cancer under 30 years of age in Yorkshire between 1990 and 2005 were analysed. Differences in survival rates for diagnostic subgroups were estimated by ethnic group (south Asian or not) using Kaplan-Meier estimation and Cox regression.

RESULTS

When compared to non-south Asians (all other ethnic groups excluding south Asians) a significant increased risk of death was seen for south Asians with leukaemia (hazard ratio (HR)=1.75; 95% confidence interval (CI)=1.11-2.76) and lymphoma (HR=2.05; 95% CI=1.09-3.87), whereas south Asians with solid tumours other than central nervous system tumours had a significantly reduced risk of death(HR=0.50; 95% CI=0.28-0.89). This was independent of socioeconomic deprivation.

CONCLUSION

We found evidence of poorer survival outcomes for south Asians compared to non-south Asian children and young adults with leukaemia and lymphoma, but better outcomes for south Asian children and young adults with other solid tumours. This needs to be explained, and carefully addressed in the on-going development of cancer services.

Some effects of chronic mercuric chloride intoxication on renal function in a horse

Chronic mercuric chloride intoxication in an aged horse given 0.8 mg Hg/kg/day for 14 weeks was manifest by signs of progressive respiratory difficulty and renal disease. The effects were not self-limiting after mercury was withdrawn, and the animal was destroyed six weeks later. Renal function changes included heavy glycosuria, modest proteinuria, phosphaturia, reduced urine osmolality, gradually increasing urine production, reduced glomerular filtration rate, and terminally, azotemia. The condition bore similarities to the Fanconi syndrome in man. Urinary gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase, alkaline phosphatase and amino-aspartate transferase activities were inconsistent indicators of tubular damage in random samples at this dose rate. The pathologic response was characterized by extensive granulomatous infiltration throughout the lungs, in particular, and to a lesser extent in the kidneys, liver and bone marrow. The renal changes included this marked interstitial reaction and proximal tubular degeneration. Mercury levels were negligible in the lungs and highest in the renal cortex. The granulomatous reaction was not encountered in previous mercury toxicity studies in horses and may indicate an individual sensitivity to the agent.