[Factors related to mortality trends in females and males aged 50-69 years in West-Germany from 1984-1998].
The study goal was to analyze to what extent social factors contribute in addition to health-related characteristics to the mortality of the general population in Germany. Data are from the first National Health Survey carried out in the former Federal Republic of Germany in 1984/86. This survey is based on a representative sample of the German population with the main focus on "Living Conditions and Health in Germany". In 1998, a mortality follow-up was carried out for all study participants of the birth cohorts 1914-1934. Out of the 3962 study participants in 1984/86, it was possible to ascertain the vital status for 3519 persons in 1998. During the observation period, 519 males and 251 females died. Based on multivariate analyses using the Cox-regression approach, it was found that the strongest predictors for mortality were, besides age and sex, smoking behavior, perceived general health and the number of chronic diseases. Statistically significantly increased relative risks were observed in addition for social characteristics such as social class and family status.
Helmert
Uwe
U
Zentrum für Sozialpolitik Universität Bremen Parkallee 39 28209 Bremen, Germany. uhelmert@zes.uni-bremen.de
Voges
Wolfgang
W
D000368:Aged; D002423:Cause of Death; D002908:Chronic Disease / Q000401:mortality*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005858:Germany / Q000453:epidemiology; D015438:Health Behavior; D006305:Health Status Indicators; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012306:Risk; D012931:Social Environment; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D016019:Survival Analysis