Patterns of cardiovascular diseases mortality in the Glasgow region.

Abstract

In a region of high mortality from cardiovascular diseases questions are posed on the spatial uniformity and temporal consistency of the mortality pattern. Cardiovascular diseases in the Glasgow region of Scotland were examined in response to these questions. Between 1964 and 1972 inclusive, extensive and significant variations from the regional mean were found for cardiovascular diseases mortality in local areas of the study region. Local areas south-east of Glasgow (in Lanarkshire) highlighted localities with above average mortality. Elsewhere, several local areas in Ayrshire, southwest of Glasgow, had high mortality. The main location where mortality was below average occurred to the west of the centre of the region. The need for further analysis of temporal characteristics and an examination of the association between disease rates and other environmental indicators is suggested by the findings.