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More severe mental illness is more concentrated in deprived areas

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  03 January 2018

Gyles R. Glover ,
Morven Leese  and
Paul McCrone
Gyles R. Glover*
Affiliation:
Section of Community Psychiatry, Institute of Psychiatry, London
Morven Leese
Affiliation:
Section of Community Psychiatry, Institute of Psychiatry, London
Paul McCrone
Affiliation:
Section of Community Psychiatry, Institute of Psychiatry, London
*
Gyles R. Glover, Section of Community Psychiatry, Institute of Psychiatry, De Crespigny Park, London SE5 8AF
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Abstract

Background

The greater frequency of mental illness in deprived and inner-city populations is well recognised; allocation of funds in the UK health service makes some allowance for this. However, it is not clear whether the differences 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 from existing sources – some based on indicators of likely need, some on observed prevalance of treatment.

Results

Among English health authority areas, the most morbid have about twice 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 services for mentally disordered offenders it is in excess of 20:1.

Conclusions

Where needs indices are used for resource allocation, responsible authorities should ensure that they produce ranges reflecting the full compass of services funded. For forensic services the range of morbidity levels may be so great that funding needs to rest at a larger population level than that of health authorities.

Type
Papers
Information
The British Journal of Psychiatry , Volume 175 , Issue 6 , December 1999 , pp. 544 - 548
Copyright
Copyright © 1999 The Royal College of Psychiatrists 

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Footnotes

Declaration of interest

None.

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