Mortality and ecological structure: A canonical approach

Abstract

The ability of variables describing ecological structure to predict variation in cause specific mortality is examined using census tract data for Houston, Texas. A canonical regression model, incorporating recent developments in canonical theory, demonstrates that mortality differentials are more strongly associated with indicants of the disadvantaged population than any other component of ecological structure. However, substantial portions of mortality variability remain unexplained by ecological variables. Policy implications of these results are then discussed.