Poor more likely to die after heart surgery
Narrowing health gap relies on ‘good start’ in life
Smoking, obesity and diabetes not only factors
Sarah Boseley, Health Editor
Friday April 3 2009
Copyright The Guardian
People who live in deprived areas of the country are more likely to die after heart surgery than those from more affluent places, even after allowing for the effects of smoking, obesity and diabetes, a new study shows today.
The research suggests that health inequalities have deeper roots than lifestyle choices. An editorial that accompanies the study in the British Medical Journal says poverty needs to be tackled if the health of the entire nation is to improve.