Gendered mortality differentials over the rural-urban continuum: the analysis of census linked longitudinal data from England and Wales

Background: Previous research shows that mortality varies significantly by residential context; however, the nature of this variation is unclear. Some studies report higher mortality levels in urban compared to rural areas, whereas others suggest elevated mortality in rural areas or a complex U-shaped relationship. Further, it also remains unclear the extent to which compositional factors explain urban-rural mortality variation, the extent to which contextual factors play a role and whether and how the patterns vary by gender. This study investigates urban-rural mortality variation in England and Wales and the causes of this variation.

Method: The study applies survival analysis to the Office for National Statistics Longitudinal Study. Population aged 20 and older in 2001 are followed 10 years.

Results and Conclusions: The analysis shows a clear urban-rural mortality gradient, with the risk of dying increasing with each level of urbanisation. The exceptions are those living in areas adjacent to London who consistently exhibit lower mortality than anticipated. Once the models are adjusted to individuals’ socio-economic characteristics, the variation across the urban-rural continuum reduces substantially, yet the gradient persists suggesting contextual effects. Females are found to be influenced more by their surrounding environment and males by their socio-economic position, although both experience lower mortality in rural compared to urban areas.