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Table 1 Inequality in prevalence of selected chronic diseases1, 2001

From: The socioeconomic gradient and chronic illness and associated risk factors in Australia

Age group (years) and chronic disease

Rate2

Rate ratio by quintile of socioeconomic disadvantage of area3

  

First

Second

Third

Fourth

Fifth

0–14 4

      

Mental and behavioural problems5

6 596

1.00

1.04

1.10

1.12

1.52**

Respiratory system

21 807

1.00

1.07

1.05

1.11

0.99

   Asthma

13 363

1.00

1.10

1.12

1.25*

1.12

15–24

      

Mental and behavioural problems5

10 284

1.00

1.02

0.97

1.08

1.28

Respiratory system

33 373

1.00

1.04

1.12

1.09

1.00

   Asthma

16 263

1.00

0.82

1.14

1.02

1.00

   Bronchitis/emphysema

1 701

1.006

1.326

1.666

1.946

1.976

Musculoskeletal system7

19 088

1.00

1.11

1.00

1.08

0.94

25–64

      

Diabetes mellitus

2 234

1.00

1.37

1.67*

1.72*

2.28***

Mental and behavioural problems5

11 093

1.00

1.05

1.20*

1.36***

1.67***

Circulatory system

17 491

1.00

1.04

0.97

1.15*

1.28***

   Hypertensive disease

9 751

1.00

1.12

1.01

1.24*

1.54***

Respiratory system

32 964

1.00

1.00

0.99

0.99

1.01

   Asthma

10 393

1.00

1.10

0.99

1.19*

1.14

   Bronchitis/emphysema

3 429

1.00

0.97

1.14

1.55**

1.70***

Digestive system

8 074

1.00

1.03

1.07

1.12

1.37***

Musculoskeletal system7

39 840

1.00

1.10*

1.16***

1.16***

1.22***

65 & over

      

Diabetes mellitus

8 981

1.00

1.13

1.14

1.52*

1.56*

Mental and behavioural problems5

7 222

1.00

1.21

1.62*

1.67*

1.56*

Circulatory system

56 592

1.00

1.09

1.06

1.10

1.19*

Respiratory system

31 442

1.00

1.03

0.87

0.95

1.22*

Musculoskeletal system7

63 669

1.00

1.02

1.06

1.03

1.08

  1. 1Survey respondents can report more than one disease.
  2. 2Rate is the number of persons per 100,000 population reporting the disease.
  3. 3The extent of any inequality is shown by the rate ratio, which expresses the ratio of the rate in each quintile to the rate in Quintile 1 (the most advantaged areas, with a rate ratio of 1.00); rate ratios differing significantly from 1.0 are shown with * p < 0.05; ** p < 0.01; *** p < 0.001.
  4. 4Information about these age groups were collected by proxy, using parental report.
  5. 5Information may be based on self-diagnosis, rather than diagnosis by a health practitioner.
  6. 6Indicates rate ratio based on estimates with a Relative Standard Error of between 25% and 50% and should be used with caution.
  7. 7Includes diseases of the connective tissue.
  8. Source: National Health Survey, ABS 2002