Excess Mortality

'Excess mortality' has been defined as higher mortality in Scotland compared with elsewhere in Britain over and above that explained by socioeconomic deprivation. Previous research has shown that premature mortality in Glasgow is 30% higher than in Liverpool and Manchester, cities with similar socioeconomic profiles and histories of deindustrialisation.What is excess mortality 2016

In May 2016, GCPH published a synthesis report that identified the most likely underlying causes of Scotland’s and Glasgow’s levels of ‘excess’ mortality - History, politics and vulnerability: explaining excess mortality in Scotland and Glasgow.

The report reaffirmed that the causes are multiple, complex, and interwoven, but in large part relate to a greater vulnerability among the Scottish population to the main drivers of poor health in any society – poverty and deprivation – caused by a series of historical decisions and processes.

Alongside the research findings were a detailed set of resultant policy recommendations aimed at national and local government which were endorsed by a range of experts in public health and other relevant disciplines.Explaining excess mortality 2016

For further information read the accompanying infographics or go to the excess mortality page on the GCPH website.

The graphs below illustrate excess mortality in Glasgow.

The first graph below illustrates excess mortality for different causes of death in Glasgow relative to Liverpool & Manchester after controlling for age, sex and deprivation. For all the causes shown, mortality in Glasgow is higher than in Liverpool and Manchester after controlling for the age, sex and deprivation structure of the population.

Excess mortality by cause

Click on graph to expand

The second graph below illustrates excess mortality for males under 65 in Glasgow compared to Liverpool and Glasgow for different levels of deprivation. With the exception of the least deprived population decile, excess premature mortality among men was higher than in Liverpool and Manchester across all other levels of deprivation. 

Excess mortality  males  by deprivationClick on graph to expand

Additional Resources

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    A new, interactive index allowing users to measure and compare their lives.
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    Investigating a 'Glasgow Effect'

    Why do equally deprived UK cities experience different health outcomes?
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    Population with a Disability in Glasgow

    2008 Estimates for Glasgow City, Community Planning Partnership areas and Social Work Services Planning areas.
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    Sunday, 1 November 2009

    Miniature Glasgow - Video

    An extension of the GCPH's work profiling Glasgow's health, produced in collaboration with the International Future Forum.
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    Wednesday, 19 August 2009

    A Games Legacy for Glasgow

    Brochure outlining the potential legacy of Glasgow's role as Commonwealth Games host city in 2014.
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    Friday, 17 July 2009

    Views of Health in Glasgow - Video

    Originally produced for an international audience at a conference in Pittsburgh, USA, this film provides insights on health concerns and beliefs drawn from interviews with Glaswegians themselves and with a group of health experts.
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    Monday, 3 April 2006

    Let Glasgow Flourish

    A comprehensive report on health and its determinants in Glasgow and West Central Scotland
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