Social class and risk factors for coronary heart disease in the Federal Republic of Germany. Results of the baseline survey of the German Cardiovascular Prevention Study (GCP).

Abstract

The relationship between social class and seven important risk factors for coronary heart disease has been evaluated utilising data from the German Cardiovascular Prevention Study baseline survey. Of German residents aged 25 to 69 years, 16 430 were randomly selected from both the six intervention regions and the Federal Republic of Germany to undergo the screening procedures between 1984 and 1986. Among males the prevalence of cigarette smoking and lack of physical activity was associated with social class. For females, overweight and physical activity demonstrated a strong social gradient. No relationship existed between social class and hypercholesterolaemia. The prevalence of Type A behaviour was significantly higher for the upper social classes. The number of CHD risk factors per study subject increased with decreasing social class. Predicted cardiovascular mortality was clearly higher for the lower social class among males in general and for females younger than 60 years. These findings point to the need for risk factor intervention strategies focusing more on the lower social classes in order to achieve more adequate prevention of coronary heart disease.

The relationship between cardiovascular disease risk factors and gender

“…In a study in Norway, age-adjusted mean systolic and diastolic blood pressures were inversely associated with socioeconomic status in women [24]. However, in a study conducted in Germany, the prevalence of hypertension was inversely related to socioeconomic status in women but not in men [25]. Our study found that the relative risk of hypertension was inversely related to socioeconomic status with the exception of education level in women.…”

Intergenerational educational mobility is associated with cardiovascular disease risk behaviours in a cohort of young Australian adults: The Childhood Determinants of Adult Health (CDAH) Study

“…It is difficult to compare our findings regarding overall lifestyle with other studies because few have reported on multiple risk factors and have generally used measures of occupation rather than education [12,28,29,31]. Parental education was not independently associated with having a high healthy lifestyle score.…”

Patient willingness to pay for preventive measures in primary care: a study of five GPs in a German community

“…This was -as expected -a little less than in the large (anonymous) German Cardiovascular Prevention study (Helmert et al 1989). The practice sample showed a similar range as found e. g., in a Dutch study of GPs (Evers et al 1997).…”