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Published in: International Journal of Behavioral Medicine 1/2010

01-03-2010

Socioeconomic Indicators and Cardiovascular Disease Incidence Among Japanese Community Residents: The Jichi Medical School Cohort Study

Authors: Kaori Honjo, Akizumi Tsutsumi, Kazunori Kayaba, The Jichi Medical School Cohort Study Group

Published in: International Journal of Behavioral Medicine | Issue 1/2010

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Abstract

Background

There has been little research in inequalities in risk of cardiovascular disease incidence by social class in Asia.

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to examine the association between socioeconomic indicators and risk of stroke and coronary heart disease in Japan.

Method

Data from the Jichi Medical School Study, a population-based prospective cohort study of approximately 11,000 Japanese men and women, were used. The average follow-up period was 11.7 years. Age- and area-adjusted hazard ratios with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for education level/occupation were calculated using Cox proportional hazard regression analysis.

Results

Compared to those who completed education at age 14 or younger, the age and area-adjusted hazard ratios of intraparenchymal hemorrhage incidence for men who completed education at age 15–17 and at age 18 or older were 0.42 (95% CI, 0.21–0.84) and 0.34 (95% CI, 0.14–0.84), respectively. The age- and area-adjusted hazard ratios of intraparenchymal hemorrhage and subarachnoid hemorrhage incidence for female white-collar workers compared to female blue-collar workers were 0.28 (95% CI, 0.08–0.98) and 3.23 (95% CI, 1.29, 8.01), respectively. No associations were found between education level and risk of coronary heart disease among both men and women.

Conclusion

These results suggest the pattern of social inequalities in health in Japan might be different from that in Western countries.
Appendix
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Metadata
Title
Socioeconomic Indicators and Cardiovascular Disease Incidence Among Japanese Community Residents: The Jichi Medical School Cohort Study
Authors
Kaori Honjo
Akizumi Tsutsumi
Kazunori Kayaba
The Jichi Medical School Cohort Study Group
Publication date
01-03-2010
Publisher
Springer US
Published in
International Journal of Behavioral Medicine / Issue 1/2010
Print ISSN: 1070-5503
Electronic ISSN: 1532-7558
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s12529-009-9051-7

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