Socioeconomic deprivation and mortality in megacities during the first two decades of the 21st century: A scoping review of area-based studies

High mortality rates have been consistently observed in socioeconomically deprived areas, particularly within megacities. This scoping review examines the relationship between socioeconomic deprivation and mortality in area-based studies conducted in megacities during the 21st century. Peer-reviewed articles reporting both mortality data and indicators of deprivation were eligible for inclusion. Data on mortality outcomes, social determinants of health, geographical scales, methodological approaches, and key findings were charted. Of the 35 studies included, two compared multiple megacities, three employed qualitative methods, six conducted multiscale analyses within a megacity, and seventeen used multidimensional deprivation indicators. Associations between contextual poverty and mortality were primarily investigated using statistical regression models, most of which accounted for spatial dependence. Mortality was generally directly associated with socioeconomic deprivation, with some exceptions for neoplasms, breast cancer, respiratory mortality in women, cardiovascular mortality, suicide, O 3 -attributable mortality, heatwave-related deaths, and accidents (excluding drug poisoning). This review highlights the influence of deprivation on mortality patterns and demonstrates how methodologies can enhance understanding of these relationships.