Summary of findings

Northern Ireland were higher than for England for both sexes. Within England, rates in the north were greater than those in the south. • With some significant exceptions, this pattern was reflected in each age group for the major causes of death. • Variations between local authorities within regions were greater than variations between regions throughout the United Kingdom. • There were clear gradients with increasing levels of area deprivation throughout Great Britain in mortality from ischaemic heart disease, lung cancer and stroke and in infant mortality and stillbirth rates. For areas with similar levels of deprivation, mortality rates were higher in the north of England than in the south. • Those living in more deprived areas had a higher incidenc