OBJECTIVE: In completion of a decision of the Bavarian Parliament we examined the regional mortality differences within Bavaria. DATA: The analysis was based on the number of deaths in Bavaria in the years of 2000-2002. Data on regional demographic and socioeconomic indicators were used to identify potential associations. METHODS: Deaths were analysed by cause of death and region. Crude and age standardised mortality rates were calculated. Additionally, we assessed the potential years of life lost in order to obtain some indication of the potential effects of preventive action. The association with likely explanatory factors was investigated on an ecological level. RESULTS: The regional mortality differences in Bavaria show a northeast-southwest gradient favouring the southwest, which reflects the socioeconomic situation within Bavaria. This may be due to the economic disadvantage northeast Bavaria had to endure as a result of its marginal location within a divided Europe. We found strong bivariate correlations of the mortality rate with individual socioeconomic factors (e. g. with available income: -0.582; with unemployment: +0.416; with the immigration rate: -0.473). Exploratory analysis suggest that about 50 % of the regional variation in mortality could be explained by socioeconomic factors. DISCUSSION: The results for cause of death indicate that behavioural factors in relation to socioeconomic aspects may well play a role in the mortality gradient. This will be the focus of a future piece of research of our unit.
OBJECTIVE: In completion of a decision of the Bavarian Parliament we examined the regional mortality differences within Bavaria. DATA: The analysis was based on the number of deaths in Bavaria in the years of 2000-2002. Data on regional demographic and socioeconomic indicators were used to identify potential associations. METHODS: Deaths were analysed by cause of death and region. Crude and age standardised mortality rates were calculated. Additionally, we assessed the potential years of life lost in order to obtain some indication of the potential effects of preventive action. The association with likely explanatory factors was investigated on an ecological level. RESULTS: The regional mortality differences in Bavaria show a northeast-southwest gradient favouring the southwest, which reflects the socioeconomic situation within Bavaria. This may be due to the economic disadvantage northeast Bavaria had to endure as a result of its marginal location within a divided Europe. We found strong bivariate correlations of the mortality rate with individual socioeconomic factors (e. g. with available income: -0.582; with unemployment: +0.416; with the immigration rate: -0.473). Exploratory analysis suggest that about 50 % of the regional variation in mortality could be explained by socioeconomic factors. DISCUSSION: The results for cause of death indicate that behavioural factors in relation to socioeconomic aspects may well play a role in the mortality gradient. This will be the focus of a future piece of research of our unit.