Australian scores are the reference point (set to 1,000 for each index). Scores for clusters are population-weighted means of the scores of their constituent census collector districts.
Source:
ABS 2001 Socioeconomic Indexes for Areas (HOIST). Centre for Epidemiology and Research, NSW Health .
The "Socio-Economic Indexes for Areas" (SEIFA) were constructed by the Australian Bureau of Statistics, using Census of Population and Housing data to summarise Australian social and economic conditions. SEIFA scores are derived from multiple-weighted variables, with the reference score for the whole of Australia set to 1,000. Lower scores indicate lower socioeconomic status.
The graph presents scores for two of the SEIFA indexes, the Index of Relative Socioeconomic Disadvantage (IRSD) and the Index of Education and Occupation (EDUOCC) for the NSW health areas. The Index of Relative Social Disadvantage combines variables relating to education, occupation, non-English speaking background, Indigenous origin and the economic resources of households. The Index of Education and Occupation combines variables relating to occupational classification, unemployment, early school leaving, and lack of educational qualifications (ABS, 1998).
Overall, on both indices, Hunter New England had values that were somewhat lower than the mean for NSW as a whole, and also lower than Sydney-based area health services. People living in Sydney metropolitan Area Health Services ranked as the least disadvantaged on both indices whilst those living in outer regional and remote areas were the most disadvantaged.
For more information:
Australian Bureau of Statistics. 1996 Census of population and housing. Socioeconomic indexes for areas. ABS Catalogue no. 2039.0. Canberra: ABS, 1998.
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Rider:
The information presented in this report result from analyses of a variety of social and health focused datasets. These datasets originate from a variety of sources including Hunter New England Health, the NSW Department of Health, and the Australian Bureau of Statistics. The timing of the release of these data to third parties is controlled by the owner of these data. It is therefore possible for these organisations to publish data that they have not yet made available to Hunter New England Population Health for analysis and release. Users should therefore check the publications of these organisations as it is possible that they may have published even more up to date information on Hunter New England than those available in this report. As this report is an ongoing project, the indicators presented will be updated as soon as possible after the release of all datasets to Hunter New England Population Health.
Copyright notice:
This work is copyright Hunter New England Area Health Service, 2005. It may be reproduced
in whole or in part, subject to the inclusion of an acknowledgement of the source. Commercial usage or sale is prohibited.
Hunter New England Population Health. Health in Hunter New England. Hunter New England Area Health Service, 2005. Available at:
http://www.hnehealth.nsw.gov.au/HHNE/soc/soc_seifa.htm. Accessed (insert date of access).
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