A Spatial and Differential Mortality Analysis of Risk Factors and Inequalities, with Particular Reference to Asthma. The primary aim of this study was to explore spatial patterns of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease mortality, with a particular emphasis on asthma mortality, in both metropolitan and non-metropolitan NSW, between 1985 and 1991. Asthma is a significant health problem in Australia, with 10 percent of adults and 30 percent of children having a recent history of the disease.
Mortality rates continue to rise.
Some interesting spatial patterns and statistical associations were observed. Higher rates of COPD mortality were observed in the south and south west of Sydney with lower rates occurring in the north. Bronchitis, emphysema and asthma mortality rates in non-metropolitan NSW were generally lower on the coast. There was a moderate inverse statistical association between income, and asthma and COPD mortality in Sydney SD, suggesting that high death rates occur with low income. The association was stronger for males than females.