Premature deaths among men in a Swedish municipality--social characteristics prior to death.
Premature deaths among 91 men in a Swedish municipality were analyzed regarding social class, immigrant status and their contacts with the Social Services because of alcohol abuse. Unskilled manual workers were overrepresented (54% versus 28% in an age-adjusted male reference group) and self-employed (other than professionals) were underrepresented (4% versus 15%). The job situation was, however, rather stable and low unemployment (1%) was at hand. The proportion of men born in Finland was high (20%). All men in this group belonged to the lowest social class. Single men (unmarried or divorced) were overrepresented compared to the Swedish group (72% versus 40%). Cardio-vascular disease was a common cause of death among the Finnish men (56% versus 36%). Combining medical and social data revealed alcohol abuse among 40% of the 91 men (50% among the Finnish and 37% among the Swedish men). The most complete information was given by the primary health care records where 89% with alcohol abuse were identified, which is a high proportion compared to other studies. Only 28% were considered to have alcohol abuse according to the Social Services.
Hallberg
H
H
Developmental Unit, County Council of Dalarna, Falun.
Mattsson
B
B
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000401:mortality; D002423:Cause of Death; D003153:Community Health Services; D004641:Emigration and Immigration; D005387:Finland / Q000208:ethnology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009026:Mortality; D012923:Social Class; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013548:Sweden / Q000453:epidemiology