INEQUALITIES IN THE TRANSITION OF ISCHEMIC-HEART-DISEASE MORTALITY INNEW-SOUTH-WALES, AUSTRALIA, 1969-1994

This paper examines changes in ischaemic heart disease mortality in Ne w South Wales between 1969 and 1994, with particular reference to the 1969-1973, 1979-1983, 1955-1989 and 1990-1994 periods. Using death cer tificate data and unit list mortality files, and considering occupatio nal differentials among males, and marital status and regional and int ra-metropolitan variations among males and females, the question wheth er changes in differentials in mortality from heart disease occurred d uring this mortality transition is asked. Mortality from ischaemic hea rt disease declined in ail marital status and occupational status grou ps. and in all geographical areas, but it declined more slowly among n ever married and divorced males, among manual workers, and in lower in come areas. Whereas ischaemic heart disease mortality was lower in mos t rural areas than in metropolitan Sydney at the beginning of the peri od, in the 1990s if was significantly more elevated in inland small to wns and rural areas than in the metropolis. Differentials increased ov er time, more especially with males. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Ltd. Al l rights reserved.