[Inequalities in mortality between Andalusia and Spain from 1990 to 2010]

To describe inequalities in mortality between Andalusia and Spain as a whole by sex and age group between 1990 and 2010.

Deaths in Andalusia and Spain were obtained from the Andalusian Mortality Registry and the National Institute of Statistics, respectively. Population data, classified by sex and age group, were obtained from the National Institute of Statistics. Crude and age- and sex-adjusted standardized mortality rates were calculated. Additionally, standardized rate ratios between Andalusia and Spain were estimated, and joinpoint regression models were built to assess trends.

In both sexes and in all the years studied, mortality was higher in Andalusia than in Spain as a whole. Rate ratios increased from 11% of men in Andalusia in 1990 to 14% in 2010 and from 9% of women in 1990 to 11% in 2010. By age group, mortality was higher than the Spanish average in Andalusian men and women, except in those aged less than 45 years in the first few years of the series. In both sexes and in all age groups, there were downward trends in Andalusia and Spain.

Mortality in Andalusia is higher than the Spanish average with a tendency to decrease at a slightly slower rate than in Spain, indicating that inequalities have increased. If this tendency continues, mortality in Andalusia will not converge with the Spanish average in the near future.