Social life factors affecting the mortality of total Japanese population

The effects of a wide variety of social life factors on the mortality of total Japanese population in 46 prefectures were analysed by stepwise regression analysis twice at a 5-year interval. Age-adjusted all-causes mortality and age-adjusted cause-specific mortality from 14 major causes of death were examined. The results indicated that rural residence was the key factor affecting the mortality of total male and female populations; low income, together with old and young age groups, was another important factor for the mortality of the male population. International differences in the effects of urbanisation on mortality rates are discussed in the light of these findings.