title: Occupational differences, cardiovascular risk factors and lifestyle habits in South Eastern rural Australia.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In rural and remote Australia, cardiovascular mortality and morbidity rates are higher than metropolitan rates.This study analysed cardiovascular and other chronic disease risk factors and related health behaviours by occupational status, to determine whether agricultural workers have higher cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk than other rural workers.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cross-sectional surveys in three rural regions of South Eastern Australia (2004-2006). A stratified random sample of 1001 men and women aged 25-74 from electoral rolls were categorised by occupation into agricultural workers (men = 214, women = 79), technicians (men = 123), managers (men = 148, women = 272) and 'home duties' (women = 165). Data were collected from self-administered questionnaire, physical measurements and laboratory tests. Cardiovascular disease (CVD) and coronary heart disease (CHD) risk were assessed by Framingham 5 years risk calculation.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Amongst men, agricultural workers had higher occupational physical activity levels, healthier more traditional diet, lower alcohol consumption, lower fasting plasma glucose, the lowest proportion of daily smokers and lower age-adjusted 5 year CVD and CHD risk scores.Amongst women, managers were younger with higher HDL cholesterol, lower systolic blood pressure, less hypertension, lower waist circumference, less self-reported diabetes and better 5 year CVD and CHD risk scores.Agricultural workers did not have higher cardiovascular disease risk than other occupational groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Previous studies have suggested that farmers have higher risks of cardiovascular disease but this is because the risk has been compared with non-rural populations. In this study, the comparison has been made with other rural occupations. Cardiovascular risk reduction programs are justified for all. Programs tailored only for agricultural workers are unwarranted.
authors.forename: Nathalie
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Davis-Lameloise
authors.forename: Benjamin
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Philpot
authors.forename: Edward D
authors.initials: ED
authors.lastname: Janus
authors.forename: Vincent L
authors.initials: VL
authors.lastname: Versace
authors.forename: Tiina
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Laatikainen
authors.forename: Erkki A
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Vartiainen
authors.affiliation: Greater Green Triangle University Department of Rural Health, Flinders University and Deakin University, PO Box 423, Warrnambool, VIC 3280, Australia. director@greaterhealth.org.
authors.forename: James A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Dunbar
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000383:Agriculture; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009790:Occupations / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D012423:Rural Health / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D013021:South Australia / Q000453:epidemiology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires