Socioeconomic deprivation, mortality and health of within-city migrants: a population cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Evidence linking selective migration (the situation where people in good health move from deprived to affluent areas, whilst people in poor health move in the opposite direction) within local areas to mortality is inconclusive. METHODS: Mortality in within-city migrants was examined using a Sheffield population cohort, adjusted for moves to care homes. The cohort comprised 310 894 people aged 25+ years in 2001 followed up for 9.18 years, with 42 252 (13.6%) deaths. Information on pre-existing medical conditions, socioeconomic indicators and smoking was available from a sample survey. RESULTS: Relative risks (95% CI) of mortality in migrants from deprived to affluent areas were lower compared with people remaining in deprived areas; 0.53 (0.42 to 0.65), 0.70 (0.61 to 0.80), 0.76 (0.68 to 0.86), 0.93 (0.88 to 1.00) and 0.98 (0.93 to 1.03) in the 25-44, 45-64, 65-74, 75-84 and 85+ year age bands, respectively. They also had lower prevalence ORs (95% CI) for bronchitis (0.59 (0.39 to 0.89)), asthma (0.70 (0.53 to 0.93)), depression (0.59 (0.38 to 0.94)), and were less likely to receive benefits (0.60 (0.47 to 0.76)) and less likely to smoke (0.66 (0.51 to 0.85)).Conversely, mortality relative risks in migrants from affluent to deprived areas were higher compared with people remaining in affluent areas; 1.71 (1.37 to 2.12), 1.59 (1.40 to 1.82), 1.44 (1.26 to 1.63), 1.18 (1.10 to 1.27) and 1.04 (1.00 to 1.09) in the corresponding age groups. They also had higher prevalence odds ratios for long-term illness (2.37 (1.71 to 3.29)), asthma (1.71 (1.25 to 2.35)), diabetes (3.03 (1.70 to 5.41)), depression (2.71 (1.74 to 4.21)), were more likely to receive benefits (2.25 (1.65 to 3.07)) and more likely to smoke (1.51 (1.12 to 2.05)). CONCLUSIONS: People moving from deprived to affluent areas had lower mortality and better health, and vice versa, especially in the younger age groups. This study provides strong evidence linking selective migration within local areas to mortality.

Assessing the impact of selective migration and care homes on geographical inequalities in health--a total population cohort study in Sheffield.

Selective migration and moves to care homes may potentially contribute to observed socioeconomic gradients in mortality across cities and regions. Sheffield has striking socioeconomic gradients in area-level mortality across the city. We examined for evidence of selective migration and assessed the contribution of migration to observed mortality gradients. We used a total population cohort (539737 in 2001), linked mortality data (2001-2010) and linked data from a health survey carried out in 2000 (66% response rate yielding 10185 responses). We used lower super-output areas and electoral wards as the spatial units of analysis. We found clear evidence of selective migration. In the 25-44 age band, relative risks of mortality were 1.71 (95% CI 1.37-2.12) in migrants from low to high deprivation areas compared with people remaining in low deprivation areas, and 0.53 (0.42-0.65) in migrants from high to low deprivation areas compared with people remaining in high deprivation areas. Relative risks shrank towards unity with increasing age. Characteristics of migrants and non-migrants (illness prevalence, indicators of socioeconomic status, smoking prevalence) ascertained before migration were largely consistent with the relative risks for mortality and indicated that people carried their risks with them. There was also a clear care homes effect, with higher mortality in electoral wards with higher care home bed provision rates. Overall, however, adjustment for selective migration, which included moves to care homes, made little difference to gradients in inequality across the city. Our results suggest that selective migration, including moves to care homes, do not explain existing socioeconomic gradients in area level mortality across Sheffield.

Improving capacity in ethnicity and health research: report of a tailored programme for NHS Public Health practitioners.

AIM: To determine whether an intervention designed to enhance research capacity among commissioners in the area of ethnicity and health was feasible and impactful, and to identify programme elements that might usefully be replicated elsewhere. BACKGROUND: How healthcare commissioners should be equipped to understand and address multiethnic needs has received little attention to-date. Being able to mobilise and apply evidence is a central element of the commissioning process that requires development. Researching ethnicity and health is widely recognised as challenging and several prior interventions have aimed to enhance competence in this area. These have, however, predominantly taken place in North America and have not been evaluated in detail. METHODS: An innovative research capacity development programme was delivered to public health staff within a large healthcare commissioning organisation in England. Evaluation methodology drew on 'pluralistic' evaluation principles and included formative and summative elements. Participant evaluation forms gave immediate feedback during the programme. Participants also provided feedback at two weeks and 12 months after the programme ended. In addition, one participant and one facilitator provided reflective accounts of the programme's strengths and weaknesses, and programme impact was traced through ongoing partnership work. FINDINGS: The programme was well received and had a tangible impact on knowledge, confidence and practice for most participants. Factors important to success included: embedding learning within the participants' work context; ensuring a balance between theory and practical tips to enhance confidence; and having sustained interaction between trainers and participants. Despite positive signs, the challenging nature of the topic was highlighted, as were wider structural and cultural factors that impede progress in this area. Although it is unrealistic to expect such programmes to have a major impact on commissioning practices, they may well make an important contribution to raising the confidence and competence of staff to undertake work in this area.