title: A matter of life and death: population mortality and football results.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine whether football results are associated with mortality from circulatory disease.
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospective study, comparing mortality on days of football matches between 18 August 1994 and 28 December 1999 with the results of the football matches.
  
  
  METHODS
  Newcastle and North Tyneside, Sunderland, Tees, and Leeds Health Authority areas of England.
  
  
  METHODS
  All persons resident in Newcastle and North Tyneside, Sunderland, Tees, and Leeds Health Authority areas of England.
  
  
  METHODS
  Mortality attributable to acute myocardial infarction and stroke.
  
  
  RESULTS
  On days when the local professional football team lost at home, mortality attributable to acute myocardial infarction and stroke increased significantly in men (relative risk 1.28, 95% confidence intervals 1.11 to 1.47). No increase was observed in women.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Results achieved by the local professional football team are associated systematically with circulatory disease death rates over a five year period in men, but not women.
authors.affiliation: NHS Northern and Yorkshire, Durham University Science Park, Durham, UK. Bill.Kirkup@doh.gsi.gov.uk
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Kirkup
authors.forename: D W
authors.initials: DW
authors.lastname: Merrick
mesh_terms: D002423:Cause of Death; D004739:England / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000209:etiology / Q000401:mortality*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D012916:Soccer / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D020521:Stroke / Q000209:etiology / Q000401:mortality*