Sex Differentials In Mortality In England And In The United States.
Division of Occupational Health, 1963 Apr:17 pages
A formula for measuring the contribution of various causes of death to sex mortality ratio was developed. Using death registration records for the 45 to 64 year old age group, overall changes in sex mortality ratios and the relative contribution of specific diseases were computed for 1930 to 1958 in England and Wales and compared to changes in the US from 1929 to 1958. The relative contribution of several specific diseases to these changes was also computed for 1950 to 1958. During 1930 to 1958, the sex mortality ratio for England and Wales rose from 1.37 to 1.87. From 1929 to 1958 the ratio rose from 1.29 to 2.00 in the US. The causes of death examined individually affected the sex mortality ratio in both countries in about the same way. Mortality from malignant neoplasms and heart disease were the major reason for the increases, accounting for more than 70 percent of the increase in the US and over 80 percent of the increase in England and Wales. The contributions of subcategories of malignant neoplasms and heart disease to increased sex mortality ratio changes for 1950 to 1958 differed in the two countries. Lung cancer was a much greater relative contributor to observed increase in England and Wales than in the US. Cancer of the intestines, rectum, and uterus made a greater relative contribution in the US. Coronary heart disease was the most important contributor to the increase in sex mortality in England and Wales; in the US, the most important factor was hypertension and associated diseases. The authors conclude that the causes of death responsible for increases in the sex mortality ratio were similar in the US, England, and Wales from 1930 to 1958.
Mortality-data; Diagnostic-tests; Disease-prevention; Pathogenesis; Occupational-hazards; Biological-effects; Disease-incidence; Toxic-effects; Biological-factors;
Division of Occupational Health, U.S. Public Health Service, 17 pages, 3 references