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HUNGARIAN STUDY SHOWS THAT SOCIAL CONDITIONS AND JEALOUSY PLAY A ROLE IN MORTALITY IN MEN | |
| Contact: Professor Árpád Skrabski Ph.D. Professor Maria Kopp M.D.,Ph.D., Phone: 36-1-210-29-53 Email: kopmar@axelero.hu Professor Ichiro Kawachi, M.D, Ph.D Embargoed until: March 6, 2004 |
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This study investigated gender differences in mortality among mid-life men and women in Hungary. Identification of risk factors specific to gender and regional differences is especially important, given that mortality rates for mid-life Hungarian men are higher today than they were in 1930. Study investigators, Árpád Skrabski, PhD in sociology, Maria Kopp MD, PhD and Ichiro Kawachi MD, PhD at Harvard Center for Society and Health, showed that a 'rival' attitude and smoking are important risk factors in men, while religious involvement is a strong protective factor for women. The results of the study were presented at the American Psychosomatic Society Annual Meeting, held March 3-6 in Orlando, Florida, US. A total of 12,643 people were interviewed in their homes' participants represent the Hungarian population in the 150 sub-regions of the country. Mortality rates were calculated for the middle-aged population (45-64 years) in the 150 sub-regions as well. Among men, differences in education and income among regions are about four times more important predictors of middle-aged mortality differences than among women. This suggests that the frustration connected with lower income and loss of status position endanger men's lives much more than women's lives. This is an interesting finding considering that men and women share the same economic and political circumstances. Social distrust, the statement that "people are generally dishonest and selfish and they want to take advantage of others" was a more important predictor of early death among men than smoking. Interestingly, jealousy, "If I hear about the success of a friend of mine, I feel I am frustrated" was as common among women as among men, but only among men was it closely connected with early death. Among women religious involvement was an important protective factor against early death. What is the hope for men? Neighborhood cohesion was found to be an effective protective factor both for men and women. That is, good neighbors can be good for your health. Although smoking is a well established risk factor for early mortality, economic disadvantage, distrust and jealousy might be similarly important killers among men, at least in a suddenly changing society. | |
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Psychosomatic Medicine is the official peer-reviewed journal of the American Psychosomatic Society, published bimonthly. For information about the journal, contact Vicki White, Managing Editor for Manuscript Production,
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