Related Experiment Videos

Risk factor effects and total mortality in older Japanese men in Japan and Hawaii

Robert D Abbott1, Hirotsugu Ueshima, Atsushi Hozawa

  • 1Division of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA 22908-0717, USA. rda3e@virginia.edu

Annals of Epidemiology
|December 2, 2008
PubMed

Insights

Japanese men in Japan experienced higher mortality than those in Hawaii, primarily due to higher rates of cigarette smoking and hypertension. These lifestyle factors explain the increased risk of death in Japan.

Area of Science:

  • Gerontology
  • Epidemiology
  • Cardiovascular Disease

Background:

  • Investigating mortality differences in Japanese men across geographic locations is crucial for understanding health disparities.
  • Genetic similarities between Japanese populations in Japan and Hawaii allow for focused study on environmental and lifestyle factors.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To identify factors associated with total mortality in older Japanese men residing in Japan and Hawaii.
  • To compare the prevalence of cardiovascular disease risk factors between these two cohorts.

Main Methods:

  • A longitudinal study involving 1379 men in Hawaii and 954 men in Japan, aged 61-81 years.
  • Mortality follow-up was conducted over a 19-year period.
  • Baseline data collected between 1980 and 1982.

Main Results:

  • Hawaiian men showed higher rates of diabetes (2-fold) and coronary heart disease (4-fold) compared to Japanese men.
  • Japanese men had higher systolic blood pressure and were three times more likely to smoke cigarettes.
  • Despite differing risk factor profiles, men in Japan had a 1.4-fold higher risk of death, with blood pressure and smoking explaining this excess.

Conclusions:

  • Cigarette smoking and hypertension are key factors driving the excess mortality observed in Japan compared to Hawaii.
  • Japanese populations exhibit similar susceptibility to adverse health conditions, regardless of location.
  • Environmental and lifestyle modifications are critical for reducing mortality risk in these cohorts.
Abstract

Related Concept Videos

Factors Affecting Illness01:18

Factors Affecting Illness

When a person's physical, emotional, intellectual, social development or spiritual functioning is compromised, this deviation from a healthy normal state is called illness. Illness creates stress that in turn harms individuals. Irritation, anger, denial, hopelessness, and fear are behavioral and emotional changes an individual experiences in the phases of illness. A variety of factors influence a person's health and well-being.
For instance, risk factors are connected to illness, disability,...
Relative Risk01:12

Relative Risk

Relative risk (RR) is a statistical measure commonly used in epidemiology to compare the likelihood of a particular event occurring between two groups. This metric is important for evaluating the relationship between exposure to a specific risk factor and the probability of a particular outcome. It plays a crucial role in medical research, public health studies, and risk assessment. Relative risk quantifies how much more (or less) likely an event is to occur in an exposed group compared to an...
Bias in Epidemiological Studies01:29

Bias in Epidemiological Studies

Biases can arise at various stages of research, from study design and data collection to analysis and interpretation. Recognizing and addressing these biases is essential to ensure the validity and reliability of epidemiological findings.Broadly speaking, biases in epidemiology fall into three main categories: selection bias, information bias, and confounding. A more detailed description of possible biases is:
Hazard Ratio01:12

Hazard Ratio

The hazard ratio (HR) is a widely used measure in clinical trials to compare the risk of events, such as death or disease recurrence, between two groups over time. It reflects the ratio of hazard rates—the instantaneous risk of the event occurring—between a treatment group and a control group. This measure provides valuable insights into the relative effectiveness of a treatment by assessing how the risk of an event differs between the two groups.
For example, in a clinical trial evaluating a...
Lifestyle Factors and Health01:20

Lifestyle Factors and Health

Lifestyle factors play a critical role in maintaining overall health and preventing chronic diseases. Key elements, such as regular physical activity, a nutritious diet, and abstinence from smoking, can significantly enhance physical, mental, and emotional well-being while reducing the risk of several life-threatening conditions.
Benefits of Physical Activity
Physical activity, whether through structured exercise or casual activities like walking, biking, or dancing, is a cornerstone of a...
Factors Affecting the Risk of Infection01:26

Factors Affecting the Risk of Infection

The hosts' susceptibility to infection depends on several factors. The integrity of the skin and mucous membranes helps protect the body against microbial attacks. When the skin is altered, the chance of infection, limb loss, and even death increases.
The integrity and count of the white blood cells help the body resist pathogens and fight infection. When impaired, it reduces the body's resistance to pathogens. The acidic pH levels of the gastrointestinal, genitourinary tracts, and skin create...