Changes in community and individual level psychosocial coronary risk factors in the Danish MONICA population, 1982-92.
OBJECTIVE
Myocardial infarction incidence declined by 3-5% per year from 1982-92 in the Danish study population of the WHO MONICA project. This study examined whether psychosocial coronary risk factors changed in the population during this period.


METHODS
Cross-sectional data from 6,695 Danish men and women aged 30, 40, 50, and 60 years, were examined in 1982-84, 1986-87, and 1991-92. Data from Social Registers were used to analyse trends in community social structure.


RESULTS
From 1982 to 1992 an increase in individuals' school education and social class followed an increase in the general welfare of the study area. At the same time type A behaviours increased in both men and women, while there were no changes in reported personal problems. The proportion of women living alone increased, while the proportion of emotionally distressed decreased. In men there were no changes in cohabitation status or emotional distress. The changes in the psychosocial factors were the same in different educational groups.


CONCLUSIONS
The socioeconomic position of the population improved at the individual and the community level during the study period. This was concurrent with the declining incidence of myocardial infarction.
Osler
Merete
M
Institute of Public Health, University of Copenhagen, Denmark. M.Osler@socmed.ku.dk
Jorgensen
Torben
T
Gerdes
Lars U
LU
Davidsen
Michael
M
Brønnum-Hansen
Henrik
H
Madsen
Mette
M
Schroll
Marianne
M
D000328:Adult; D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003625:Data Collection; D003718:Denmark / Q000453:epidemiology; D004522:Educational Status; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012923:Social Class; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000453:epidemiology*; D014434:Type A Personality