Coronary Heart Disease From a Life-Course Approach: Findings From the Health and Retirement Study, 1998-2004

OBJECTIVE: Guided by a life-course approach to chronic disease, this study examined the ways in which childhood deprivation (low parental education and father's manual occupation) may be associated with coronary heart disease (CHD). METHOD: Multilevel modeling techniques and a nationally representative sample of Americans above age 50 from the Health and Retirement Study (HRS; N = 18,465) were used to examine childhood and CHD relationships over the course of 6 years (1998-2004). RESULTS: Having a father with </=8 years of education was associated with 11% higher odds of CHD, accounting for demographic characteristics, adult socioeconomic status (SES; education, income, and wealth), CHD risks (diabetes, hypertension, cigarette smoking, and obesity), and other factors (childhood health, exercise, stroke, and marital status). DISCUSSION: Policies and programs aimed at improving the conditions of poor children and their families may effectively reduce the prevalence of CHD in later life.