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Developing Summary Measures of Health-Related Multiple Physical Environmental Deprivation for Epidemiological Research

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  • Elizabeth A Richardson

    (School of GeoSciences, The University of Edinburgh, Drummond Street, Edinburgh EH8 9XP, Scotland)

  • Richard Mitchell

    (Section of Public Health and Health Policy, Faculty of Medicine, University of Glasgow, 1 Lilybank Gardens, Glasgow G12 8RZ, Scotland)

  • Niamh K Shortt
  • Jamie Pearce

    (School of GeoSciences, The University of Edinburgh, Drummond Street, Edinburgh EH8 9XP, Scotland)

  • Terence P Dawson

    (School of Geography, University of Southampton, Highfield, Southampton SO17 1BJ, England)

Abstract

Socioeconomic deprivation accounts for much of the spatial inequality in health in the UK, but a significant proportion remains unexplained. It is highly likely that the physical environment is a key factor in this unexplained variation. The role of the socioeconomic environment in health inequalities has been studied using small-area measures of multiple socioeconomic deprivation that capture the burden of socioeconomic adversity. Although similar composite measures of the physical environment would greatly assist investigations of environmental determinants of health no such measures are available. In this study we developed two small-area measures of health-related multiple physical environmental deprivation for the UK. A thorough review and evidence appraisal process was used to identify health-relevant dimensions of physical environmental deprivation. As a result we selected both health-detrimental (air pollution, cold climate, industrial facilities) and health-beneficial (ultraviolet radiation and green space) dimensions. Datasets describing each of the selected dimensions were acquired, and rendered to UK Census Area Statistics wards ( n = 10 654, average population = 5518). We developed two summary measures: the multiple environmental deprivation index (MEDIx) and classification (MEDClass). MEDIx, on an ordinal scale, can be used to distinguish areas exposed to greater or lesser environmental deprivation. MEDClass groups areas with similar environmental characteristics and will be useful for exploring health effects of specific types of environment. Mapping these measures demonstrated a wide variation in physical environmental deprivation across the UK. MEDIx revealed greater environmental deprivation in urban and industrial areas, and at more northerly latitudes. Although created using a different methodology MEDClass also differentiated these environmental types. We concluded that it is possible to capture and characterise multiple attributes of health-related physical environmental deprivation in the UK, at a small area level. The measures we developed offer opportunities to researchers and policy makers for developing our understanding of the role of exposure to multiple dimensions of physical environmental deprivation on health outcomes.

Suggested Citation

  • Elizabeth A Richardson & Richard Mitchell & Niamh K Shortt & Jamie Pearce & Terence P Dawson, 2010. "Developing Summary Measures of Health-Related Multiple Physical Environmental Deprivation for Epidemiological Research," Environment and Planning A, , vol. 42(7), pages 1650-1668, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:envira:v:42:y:2010:i:7:p:1650-1668
    DOI: 10.1068/a42459
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. M. Saisana & A. Saltelli & S. Tarantola, 2005. "Uncertainty and sensitivity analysis techniques as tools for the quality assessment of composite indicators," Journal of the Royal Statistical Society Series A, Royal Statistical Society, vol. 168(2), pages 307-323, March.
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    1. Tunstall, Helena & Mitchell, Richard & Pearce, Jamie & Shortt, Niamh, 2014. "The general and mental health of movers to more- and less-disadvantaged socio-economic and physical environments within the UK," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 118(C), pages 97-107.
    2. Pearce, Jamie R. & Richardson, Elizabeth A. & Mitchell, Richard J. & Shortt, Niamh K., 2011. "Environmental justice and health: A study of multiple environmental deprivation and geographical inequalities in health in New Zealand," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 73(3), pages 410-420, August.

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