Loading...
Geographical inequalities in uptake of NHS funded eye examinations: Poisson modelling of small-area data for Essex, UK
Shickle, D. Farragher, T.M. Davey, Christopher J. Slade, S.V. Syrett, J.
Shickle, D.
Farragher, T.M.
Davey, Christopher J.
Slade, S.V.
Syrett, J.
Publication Date
2018-06
End of Embargo
Supervisor
Rights
© The Author 2017. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of Faculty of Public Health.
This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted reuse, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Peer-Reviewed
Yes
Open Access status
openAccess
Accepted for publication
2017-05
Institution
Department
Awarded
Embargo end date
Collections
Additional title
Abstract
Background: Small-area analysis of National Health Service (NHS)-funded sight test uptake in Leeds showed significant inequalities in access among people aged <16 or ≥60. Methods: Data were extracted from 604 126 valid General Ophthalmic Services (GOS)1 claim forms for eye examinations for Essex residents between October 2013 and July 2015. Expected GOS1 uptake for each lower super output area was based on England annual uptake. Poisson regression modelling explored associations in GOS1 uptake ratio with deprivation. Results: People aged ≥60 or <16 living in the least deprived quintile were 15% and 26%, respectively, more likely to have an NHS funded eye examination than the most deprived quintile, although all are equally entitled. GOS1 uptake is higher in the more deprived quintiles among 16-59-year old, as means tested social benefits are the main eligibility criteria in this age-group. Inequalities were also observed at local authority level. Conclusions: Inequalities in access among people ≥60 years were not as large as those reported in Leeds, although inequalities in <16-year old were similar. However, demonstrable inequalities in this data set over a longer time period and a larger and more diverse area than Leeds, reinforce the argument that interventions are needed to address eye examination uptake inequalities.
Version
Published version
Citation
Shickle D, Farragher TM, Davey CJ et al (2018) Geographical inequalities in uptake of NHS funded eye examinations: Poisson modelling of small-area data for Essex, UK. Journal of Public Health. 40(2): e171-e179.
Link to publisher’s version
Link to published version
Link to Version of Record
Type
Article