An article examined social inequalities in mortality for women aged 25-59 in England and Wales in the period 2001-03. There was a strong socio-economic effect on the mortality of women in all regions. Compared to women in the most advantaged class, mortality rates were three times as high for the least advantaged women for lung cancer and cerebrovascular disease, around five times as high for ischaemic heart disease and all digestive diseases, and six times as high for respiratory diseases.
Source: Ann Langford, Brian Johnson and Alaa Al-Hamad, 'Social inequalities in female mortality by region and by selected causes of death, England and Wales, 2001-03', Health Statistics Quarterly 44, Winter 2009, Office for National Statistics, TSO (0870 600 5522)
Links: Article | ONS press release
Date: 2009-Nov
A report said that women accounted for over two-thirds of the growth in demand for National Health Service specialist mental health services over the period 2003-2008. It also highlighted the higher proportions of people from minority-ethnic groups who were in contact with the services, and who spent time in hospital for mental health conditions.
Source: Second Report on Experimental Statistics from Mental Health Minimum Dataset (MHMDS) Annual Returns, 2003-2008, NHS Information Centre (0845 300 6016)
Links: Report | NHS press release
Date: 2009-Jun