Geographic health inequalities in Madrid city: Exploring spatial patterns of respiratory disease mortality

Abstract

The unequal geographic distribution of health determinants could denote situations of environmental injustice. This work aims to identify spatial patterns of respiratory disease mortality and their association with the education level and the atmospheric pollution in Madrid. To this purpose, we applied spatial analysis through statistical techniques and Geographic Information Systems at the census tract level. The analysis showed a slight but significantly higher risk of mortality in areas with more unfavourable socioeconomic and environmental conditions. This work has the potential to inform public policy and research on links among social, environmental and health inequalities in Madrid City.