Local inequalities in health behaviours: longitudinal findings from the Stockton-on-Tees cohort study

This paper provides a longitudinal examination of local inequalities in health behaviours during a period of austerity, exploring the role of ‘place’ in explaining these inequalities. Data from the Stockton-on-Tees prospective cohort study of 836 individuals were analysed and followed over 18-months (37% follow up). Generalised Estimating Equation models estimated the deprivation gap in health behaviours (smoking status, alcohol use, fruit and vegetable consumption and physical activity practices) between the 20% most and least deprived neighborhoods (LSOAs), explored any temporal changes – during austerity, and examined the underpinning role of compositional and contextual determinants. All health behaviours, except for frequent physical activity varied significantly by deprivation (p=