British Medical Journal
Volume 289, Issue 6453, 1984, Pages 1185-1187

Patterns of mortality among migrants to England and Wales from the Indian subcontinent (Article)

Balarajan R. , Bulusu L. , Adelstein A.M. , Shukla V.
  • a Medical Department, South Wester Thames Regional Health Authority, London, United Kingdom
  • b Medical Department, South Wester Thames Regional Health Authority, London, United Kingdom
  • c Medical Department, South Wester Thames Regional Health Authority, London, United Kingdom
  • d Medical Department, South Wester Thames Regional Health Authority, London, United Kingdom

Abstract

Causes of deaths in immigrants to England and Wales from the Indian subcontinent were assessed by ethnic subgroup. Observed and expected deaths for 1975-7 were aggregated to calculate proportional mortality ratios. Observed mortality due to infective and parasitic diseases, endocrine diseases (notably diabetes), diseases of the circulatory system (notably ischaemic heart disease and cerebrovascular disease, in males), and diseases of the digestive system (notably cirrhosis of the liver) exceeded expected mortality. Fewer than expected deaths were due to malignant neoplasms (notably lung cancer and chronic bronchitis); proportional mortality ratios for cancer were lower for Hindu groups than for Moslems and were lowest for Punjabis. Mortality due to ischaemic heart disease, high in all groups, was highest in Moslems. Significantly more Punjabi males died from cerebrovascular disease and cirrhosis of the liver. Diabetes was commonest among Gujaratis. The variation seen in the patterns of mortality in the different ethnic groups indicates the need for further epidemiological and health service research centred on these communities.

Author Keywords

[No Keywords available]

Index Keywords

Short Survey immigrant India human epidemiology Ethnic Groups ethnic group priority journal Aged geographic distribution Adolescent Wales Infant, Newborn male England female Infant Child, Preschool fatality adult United Kingdom ethnic or racial aspects Emigration and Immigration cause of death cardiovascular system Endocrine System mortality Middle Age Child
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-0021703427&partnerID=40&md5=c6ce2243faac5b77bc38e1a4a4c66c48
ISSN: 09598146
Cited by: 143
Original Language: English