More severe mental illness is more concentrated in deprived areas

Background The greater frequency of mental illness in deprived and inner-ci ty populations is well recognised; allocation of funds in the UK health ser vice makes some allowance for this. However, it is not clear whether the di fferences are similar for all levels of mental health care need. Aims To study the range in prevalence of mental health problems and care at . primary care, general secondary care and forensic care levels. Method We used mainly descriptive statistics to study evidence available fr om existing sources - some based on indicators of likely need, some on obse rved prevalance of treatment. Results Among English health authority areas, the most morbid have about tw ice the prevalence of primary care level mental illness of the least morbid . For secondary care the ratio is between 2.5 and 4 to 1, while for service s for mentally disordered offenders it is in excess of 20:1. Conclusions Where needs indices are used for resource allocation, responsib le authorities should ensure that they produce ranges reflecting the full c ompass of services funded. For forensic services the range of morbidity lev els may be so great that funding needs to rest at a larger population level than that of health authorities.