Occupational Differences in Ischemic Heart Disease Mortality and Risk Factors in Australia

Mortality rates from ischemic heart disease in Australia declined by about 25% over the period 1969-1978. The greatest declines were experienced by the professional occupations, while lower socioeconomic groups had higher mortality rates at the beginning of the period and experienced smaller declines. From a national survey in 1980, significantly and consistently lower risk levels of blood pressure, triglyceride, cigarette smoking, body mass and exercise were found among higher status occupation groups. This suggests that there is a pattern of coronary prevention behavior spanning multiple risk factors that is associated with a reduction in ischemic heart disease.