Is council tax valuation band a predictor of mortality?

All current UK indices of socio-economic status have inherent problems, especially those used to govern resource allocation to the health sphere. The search for improved markers continues: this study proposes and tests the possibility that Council Tax Valuation Band (CTVB) might match requirements....

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:BMC public health 2002-09, Vol.2 (1), p.17-17, Article 17
Main Authors: Beale, Norman R, Taylor, Gordon J, Straker-Cook, Dawn M K
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Aged
Aged, 80 and over
Cultural Deprivation
England - epidemiology
Family Characteristics
Family Practice
Female
Health Status Indicators
Housing - economics
Humans
Hypothesis
Male
Middle Aged
Mortality
Residence Characteristics
Risk Assessment
Risk Factors
Socioeconomic Factors
Taxes - classification
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Summary:All current UK indices of socio-economic status have inherent problems, especially those used to govern resource allocation to the health sphere. The search for improved markers continues: this study proposes and tests the possibility that Council Tax Valuation Band (CTVB) might match requirements. To determine if there is an association between CTVB of final residence and mortality risk using the death registers of a UK general practice. Standardised death rates and odds ratios (ORs) for groups defined by CTVB of dwelling (A - H) were calculated using one in four denominator samples from the practice lists. Analyses were repeated three times - between number of deaths and CTVB of residence of deceased 1992 - 1994 inclusive, 1995 - 1997 inc., 1998 - 2000 inc. In 856 deaths there were consistent and significant differences in death rates between CTVBs: above average for bands A and B residents; below average for other band residents. There were significantly higher ORs for A, B residents who were female and who died prematurely (before average group life expectancy). CTVB of final residence appears to be a proxy marker of mortality risk and could be a valuable indicator of health needs resource at household level. It is worthy of further exploration.
ISSN:1471-2458
1471-2458
DOI:10.1186/1471-2458-2-17