title: Behavioural risk factors among young adults in small areas with high mortality versus those in low-mortality areas.
abstract: A community-based cross-sectional survey of behavioural risk factors for premature mortality was carried out on a group of 354 adults aged 25-44 from previously identified high-mortality 'black-spots' in Dublin who were compared with 333 others from low-mortality areas. In the black-spot areas, 50.9% of respondents were current smokers versus 28.5% in low-mortality areas and 14.6% took 'sufficient' exercise versus 31.4% in low-mortality areas. People living in black spots were also less likely to make 'healthy' dietary choices than those in low-mortality areas. There is a higher prevalence of behavioural risk factors for premature mortality among young adults living in electoral wards/district electoral divisions (DEDs) with high standardized mortality ratios (SMRs) from all causes than among those in areas with low SMRs. A health promotion programme aimed at increasing exercise levels, reducing smoking and encouraging healthy eating should be aimed at young adults in DEDs with high SMRs.
authors.affiliation: Eastern Health Board, Dr Steevens Hospital, Dublin, Ireland.
authors.forename: Z
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Johnson
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Jennings
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Fogarty
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Johnson
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Lyons
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Doorley
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hynes
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000453:epidemiology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D006293:Health Promotion; D006801:Humans; D007494:Ireland; D008297:Male; D009026:Mortality; D012307:Risk Factors; D012309:Risk-Taking; D012907:Smoking / Q000453:epidemiology; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires