Alison Copeland1, Adetayo Kasim2, Clare Bambra1. 1. Department of Geography, Durham University, Durham, UK Wolfson Research Institute for Health and Wellbeing, Durham University, Durham, UK. 2. Wolfson Research Institute for Health and Wellbeing, Durham University, Durham, UK.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Previous research suggests that the health effects of recessions are mixed and vary spatially between countries. Using the North-South English health divide as an example, this paper examines whether there are also spatial variations within countries. METHODS: Cross-sectional data on self-reported 'not good health' was obtained from the British Household Panel Survey and the Health Survey for England from 1991 to 2010. Age-adjusted generalized linear models were used to examine the effects of recessions (1990/91 and 2008/09) on self-reported health in the four English NHS Commissioning Regions (North, South, Midlands and London) with stratification by gender. RESULTS: Over the 20-year study period, the North had consistently higher rates of 'not good health' than the South [OR 1.50 (1.46-1.55) outside recessions and OR 1.29 (1.19-1.39) during recessions]. However, during periods of recession, this health divide narrowed slightly with a 2% decrease in the prevalence of 'not good health' in the North [OR 0.91 (0.86, 0.96)]. CONCLUSION: This study is evidence of spatial variations in the health effects of recessions within England and the North-South divide appears to slightly reduce during recessions. Health in the North remains worse than the South.
BACKGROUND: Previous research suggests that the health effects of recessions are mixed and vary spatially between countries. Using the North-South English health divide as an example, this paper examines whether there are also spatial variations within countries. METHODS: Cross-sectional data on self-reported 'not good health' was obtained from the British Household Panel Survey and the Health Survey for England from 1991 to 2010. Age-adjusted generalized linear models were used to examine the effects of recessions (1990/91 and 2008/09) on self-reported health in the four English NHS Commissioning Regions (North, South, Midlands and London) with stratification by gender. RESULTS: Over the 20-year study period, the North had consistently higher rates of 'not good health' than the South [OR 1.50 (1.46-1.55) outside recessions and OR 1.29 (1.19-1.39) during recessions]. However, during periods of recession, this health divide narrowed slightly with a 2% decrease in the prevalence of 'not good health' in the North [OR 0.91 (0.86, 0.96)]. CONCLUSION: This study is evidence of spatial variations in the health effects of recessions within England and the North-South divide appears to slightly reduce during recessions. Health in the North remains worse than the South.
Authors: Charlotte Booth; Bożena Wielgoszewska; Michael J Green; Giorgio Di Gessa; Charlotte F Huggins; Gareth J Griffith; Alex S F Kwong; Ruth C E Bowyer; Jane Maddock; Praveetha Patalay; Richard J Silverwood; Emla Fitzsimons; Richard Shaw; Ellen J Thompson; Andrew Steptoe; Alun Hughes; Nishi Chaturvedi; Claire J Steves; Srinivasa Vittal Katikireddi; George B Ploubidis Journal: Soc Sci Med Date: 2022-07-20 Impact factor: 5.379