Spatial and temporal variation of mortality and deprivation. 1: widening health inequalities.

"In this paper we examine the relationship between premature mortality and material deprivation both over time (the intercensal period, 1981-91) and over space (for the population in wards and ward groups in Wales). Our focus is on the methods of analysis for small area...multiple cross-section mortality data and their application to the substantive issue of the persistent and widening inequalities in Wales.... We examine all-cause deaths and mortality by specific disease classes for groups (quintiles) of wards ranked according to standard measures of material deprivation. Although there have been reductions in premature mortality across all deprivation groups in Wales, over the decade, the gap has widened between the most and least deprived areas."