The paper presents a spatial microsimulation approach to the analysis of health
inequalities. A dynamic spatial microsimulation model of Britain, under
development at the Universities of Leeds and Sheffield, uses data from the
censuses of 1971, 1981 and 1991 and the British Household Panel Survey to
simulate urban and regional populations in Britain. Geographical information
systems and spatial microsimulation are used for the analysis of health
inequalities in British regions in a 30 year simulation. The interdependencies
between socio-economic characteristics and health variables such as limiting
long-term illness are discussed. One of the innovative features of the model is
the estimation of variables such as household income at the small area level,
which can then be used to classify individuals. The health situation of
different simulated individuals in different areas is investigated and the role
of socio-economic characteristics in determining health is evaluated.