Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health, Vol 51, 668-671
Socioeconomic deprivation and health in Glasgow and the west of Scotland--a study of cancer incidence among male residents of hostels for the single homeless
DW Lamont, FM Toal and M Crawford
Department of Child Health, University of Newcastle, Royal Victoria Infirmary, Newcastle upon Tyne.
STUDY OBJECTIVE: To determine the incidence of cancer among homeless men in
Glasgow. DESIGN: Descriptive study of cancer incidence in a defined, though
individually unidentifiable, population cohort. SETTING: Glasgow and the
West of Scotland Region. PARTICIPANTS: Male residents of 10 hostels for the
single homeless in Glasgow, open for all or part of the period 1975-93.
Estimated total man-years of risk 21,820. MAIN RESULTS: After adjusting for
age and socioeconomic deprivation, the proportional incidence ratio (PIR)
of tumours of the oral cavity and pharynx in hostel residents was over
twice what would be expected in the male population as a whole (PIR 2.37,
95% CI 1.41, 4.00). Cancers of the oesophagus and larynx were also
overrepresented (PIR 1.63 and 1.74 respectively). Estimated age
standardised incidence ratios were greater than would be expected for the
most socioeconomically deprived areas of the west of Scotland for tumours
of the oral cavity and pharynx, larynx, oesophagus, and lung (2.39, 1.87,
1.61, and 1.23 respectively). CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of many cancers is
known to be higher in lower socioeconomic groups. Within the lowest
deprivation category, there is evidence from this study for a further
excess risk among homeless men for cancers of the oral cavity and pharynx,
oesophagus, larynx, and lung. Improvements in general health care are
urgently needed for this particularly vulnerable section of the population.
Copyright © 1997 by the Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health
