Carstairs index
The Carstairs index is a measure of deprivation that is widely used in health research to assess the socio-economic status of populations. It was developed in the United Kingdom and is named after the researcher Vera Carstairs, who, along with Russell Morris, first introduced the index in the 1980s. The index is used to identify areas of socio-economic disadvantage and is often applied in studies examining health inequalities.
Components of the Carstairs Index[edit | edit source]
The Carstairs index is composed of four variables derived from census data:
- Unemployment: The proportion of economically active people who are unemployed.
- Overcrowding: The proportion of households with more than one person per room.
- Car ownership: The proportion of households without a car.
- Social class: The proportion of people in low social class occupations, typically defined as manual workers.
Each of these variables is standardized and combined to create a composite score for small geographical areas, such as electoral wards or census tracts. The resulting score is used to rank areas from least to most deprived.
Applications in Health Research[edit | edit source]
The Carstairs index is frequently used in epidemiological studies to explore the relationship between deprivation and health outcomes. It helps researchers identify areas with high levels of deprivation and assess how these conditions correlate with various health indicators, such as mortality rates, incidence of diseases, and access to healthcare services.
Advantages and Limitations[edit | edit source]
The Carstairs index is valued for its simplicity and the availability of data, making it a practical tool for researchers. However, it also has limitations. The index is based on census data, which may not be updated frequently, and it does not capture all dimensions of deprivation, such as income or education levels. Additionally, the index is specific to the UK context and may not be directly applicable to other countries without modification.
Also see[edit | edit source]
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