Socioeconomic status and trends in risk factors for cardiovascular diseases in the Danish MONICA population, 1982-1992.
OBJECTIVE
The decline in cardiovascular mortality in Denmark during the 1980s has been greatest in the highest socioeconomic groups of the population. This study examines whether the increased social inequality in cardiovascular mortality has been accompanied by a different trend in cardiovascular risk factors in different educational groups.


METHODS
Data from three cross sectional WHO MONICA surveys conducted in 1982-84, 1987, and 1991-92, were analysed to estimate trends in biological (weight, height, body mass index, blood pressure, and serum lipids) and behavioural (smoking, physical activity during leisure, and eating habits) risk factors in relation to educational status.


METHODS
County of Copenhagen, Denmark.


METHODS
6695 Danish men and women of ages 30, 40, 50, and 60 years.


RESULTS
The prevalence of smoking and heavy smoking decreased during the study but only in the most educated groups. In fact, the prevalence of heavy smoking increased in the least educated women. There was no significant interaction for the remaining biological and behavioural risk factors between time of examination and educational level, indicating that the trend was the same in the different educational groups. However, a summary index based on seven cardiovascular risk factors improved, and this development was only seen in the most educated men and women.


CONCLUSIONS
The difference between educational groups in prevalence of smoking increased during the 1980s, and this accounted for widening of an existing social difference in the total cardiovascular risk.
Osler
M
M
Danish Institute of Clinical Epidemiology, Copenhagen O, Denmark.
Gerdes
L U
LU
Davidsen
M
M
Brønnum-Hansen
H
H
Madsen
M
M
Jørgensen
T
T
Schroll
M
M
D000328:Adult; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000401:mortality; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003718:Denmark / Q000453:epidemiology; D004522:Educational Status; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D012907:Smoking / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000401:mortality; D012923:Social Class