Masters Thesis Abstract: Catherine Tisch
An analysis of the growing geographical inequalities in mortality in New Zealand, 1981-2000
The issue of social inequalities in health is now well established with those in lower socioeconomic groups generally having poorer health compared with those in higher socioeconomic groups. An interlinked geographical inequality in health is a subject which has received relatively little consideration in the past. A very important point which has emerged as a key theme of the health inequalities research is to examine whether the inequalities have improved, remained relatively stable, or worsened over time. In general the international and limited New Zealand literature seems to support the latter.
The spatial pattern of inequalities in mortality across New Zealand during the past two decades will be analysed, in terms of variations between areas and in terms of temporal trends. This research will provide a comprehensive portrait of geographic inequalities in the leading causes of mortality in New Zealand over the past two decades and how they relate to places. This thesis aims to answer the following questions:
- To what extent are there geographical differences in mortality in New Zealand?
- Have such differences widened between 1981 and 2000?
- To what extent have such differences been evident at different geographic scales?
- What are the key processes underlying the geographical differences in mortality?
- To what extent are the key causes of such trends consistent for different causes of death?
This research will compliment other New Zealand research examining geographical polarisation of life expectancy and all-cause mortality over the same time period, and go further to help identify possible processes underlying these geographic disparities.