TRENDS IN OCCUPATIONAL MORTALITY AMONG MIDDLE-AGED MEN IN SWEDEN 1961-1990

Background. Many European countries have in recent decades reported gr owing socioeconomic differentials in mortality. While these trends hav e usually paralleled high unemployment and increasing income dispariti es, Sweden had low unemployment and narrowing income differences. This study describes trends, 1961-1990, in total and cardiovascular mortal ity among men, 45-69 years of age, in major occupational classes in Sw eden. Methods. From census data four cohorts were created from those e numerated in 1960, 1970, 1980 and 1985. Through record linkage with th e Swedish cause of death registry the mortality in each cohort was fol lowed for 5-10 years. Age-standardized mortality trends 1961-1990 were calculated for occupational groups, categorized according to sector o f the economy. Results. The increase in mortality among middle-aged me n in Sweden 1965-1980 was mainly a result of increasing cardiovascular mortality among industrial workers and farmers. in the 1980s the tren d for these groups changed into a fast decrease in mortality similar t o that for non-manual occupations for the whole period. Consequently t he rate ratio for industrial workers in comparison with men having a p rofessional/managerial type of occupation increased from 0.98 to 1.43. The slowest decrease is now found among unqualified occupations in se rvices and transportation. Conclusions. While Sweden, during the perio d studied, had narrowing income differentials and low unemployment thi s result points to the importance of working conditions in understandi ng trends and distribution of male adult mortality.