The effect of population movement on the spatial distribution of socio-economic and health status: analysis using the Northern Ireland mortality study.

This paper examines the impact of population movement on the spatial distribution of socio-economic and health status in Northern Ireland. Five percent of the population cohort changed decile of deprivation between 2000 and 2001, resulting in a net gain in more affluent deciles and a net loss in more deprived areas. In addition, there was a net gain of relatively more affluent people in the more affluent deciles and a net loss of such people from more deprived deciles. However, this selective mobility had a minimal impact on the spatial distribution of health. More pronounced effects may be observed in longer periods of follow-up.