Cardiovascular health among the Czech population at the beginning of the 21st century: a 12-year follow-up study

BACKGROUND: In the late 1980s, Czechia was among the countries which had the highest cardiovascular mortality in the world. In spite of enormous improvements since that time, there are still large opportunities in further improving cardiovascular health. METHODS: Based on the Czech Health, Alcohol and Psychosocial Factors in Eastern Europe sample (n=8449 at baseline, 12 years of follow-up, 494 cardiovascular disease (CVD) deaths up to 2015-events), the impact of selected covariates such as education, smoking habits, high blood pressure, blood cholesterol level, diabetes, obesity, physical activity and binge drinking and their multifactorial effects on cardiovascular mortality was evaluated by Cox regression. In addition, population attributable fractions (PAFs) were used to quantify the impact of these factors on CVD mortality in the population. RESULTS: Education was found as the strongest determinant of CVD mortality (primary vs university, HR 2.77, P<0.001; PAF=50.5%). CVD risk was two times higher for persons with diabetes compared with those without (HR 2.02, P<0.001, PAF=23.2%). Furthermore, significant factors found were smoking (smoker vs non-smoker, HR 1.91, P<0.001; PAF=26.5%), high blood pressure (HR 1.73, P<0.001; PAF=35.3%) and physical inactivity (none vs sufficient, HR 1.60, P<0.001; PAF=22.9%). Conversely, the effect of obesity was low (HR 1.29, P value =0.020), and binge drinking and high blood cholesterol level were not significant at all. CONCLUSIONS: Education had the largest impact on cardiovascular mortality among the Czech population. More than 50% of CVD death would be prevented if the whole population had the same risk values as the highest educated population. Reducing disparities in health related to education should benefit from attention to cardiovascular health literacy

Socioeconomic inequalities in suicide mortality in European urban areas before and during the economic recession

Few studies have assessed the impact of the financial crisis on inequalities in suicide mortality in European urban areas. The objective of the study was to analyse the trend in area socioeconomic inequalities in suicide mortality in nine European urban areas before and after the beginning of the financial crisis. This ecological study of trends was based on three periods, two before the economic crisis (2000-2003, 2004-2008) and one during the crisis (2009-2014). The units of analysis were the small areas of nine European cities or metropolitan areas, with a median population ranging from 271 (Turin) to 193 630 (Berlin). For each small area and sex, we analysed smoothed standardized mortality ratios of suicide mortality and their relationship with a socioeconomic deprivation index using a hierarchical Bayesian model. Among men, the relative risk (RR) comparing suicide mortality of the 95th percentile value of socioeconomic deprivation (severe deprivation) to its 5th percentile value (low deprivation) were higher than 1 in Stockholm and Lisbon in the three periods. In Barcelona, the RR was 2.06 (95% credible interval: 1.24-3.21) in the first period, decreasing in the other periods. No significant changes were observed across the periods. Among women, a positive significant association was identified only in Stockholm (RR around 2 in the three periods). There were no significant changes across the periods except in London with a RR of 0.49 (95% CI: 0.35-0.68) in the third period. Area socioeconomic inequalities in suicide mortality did not change significantly after the onset of the crisis in the areas studied

Determinants of cardiovascular disease and other non-communicable diseases in Central and Eastern Europe: Rationale and design of the HAPIEE study

BACKGROUND: Over the last five decades, a wide gap in mortality opened between western and eastern Europe; this gap increased further after the dramatic fluctuations in mortality in the former Soviet Union (FSU) in the 1990s. Recent rapid increases in mortality among lower socioeconomic groups in eastern Europe suggests that socioeconomic factors are powerful determinants of mortality in these populations but the more proximal factors linking the social conditions with health remain unclear. The HAPIEE (Health, Alcohol and Psychosocial factors In Eastern Europe) study is a prospective cohort study designed to investigate the effect of classical and non-conventional risk factors and social and psychosocial factors on cardiovascular and other non-communicable diseases in eastern Europe and the FSU. The main hypotheses of the HAPIEE study relate to the role of alcohol, nutrition and psychosocial factors. METHODS AND DESIGN: The HAPIEE study comprises four cohorts in Russia, Poland, the Czech Republic and Lithuania; each consists of a random sample of men and women aged 45–69 years old at baseline, stratified by gender and 5 year age groups, and selected from population registers. The total planned sample size is 36,500 individuals. Baseline information from the Czech Republic, Russia and Poland was collected in 2002–2005 and includes data on health, lifestyle, diet (food frequency), socioeconomic circumstances and psychosocial factors. A short examination included measurement of anthropometric parameters, blood pressure, lung function and cognitive function, and a fasting venous blood sample. Re-examination of the cohorts in 2006–2008 focuses on healthy ageing and economic well-being using face-to-face computer assisted personal interviews. Recruitment of the Lithuanian cohort is ongoing, with baseline and re-examination data being collected simultaneously. All cohorts are being followed up for mortality and non-fatal cardiovascular events. DISCUSSION: The HAPIEE study will provide important new insights into social, behavioural and biological factors influencing mortality and cardiovascular risk in the region

Mortality in the Visegrad countries from the perspective of socioeconomic inequalities

OBJECTIVES: Large socioeconomic inequalities in health are still present in the Central Europe. The aim was to explore socioeconomic inequalities in mortality in Visegrad countries-the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland and Slovakia (V4), by three different socioeconomic indicators (unemployment, risk of poverty/social exclusion, education). The study was conducted within the H2020 Euro-Healthy project. METHODS: The associations between selected socioeconomic indicators and the standardised mortality rates by four main causes (mortality related to cancer, circulatory, respiratory and digestive system) in the economically active population aged 20-64 years in the 35 NUTS 2 level regions of the V4 in the period 2011-2013 were explored, using linear regression models. RESULTS: Lower education level was the most significant predictor of mortality in the V4. The lowest mortality rates by all causes of death were found in the regions of the Czech Republic, the highest in regions of Hungary. CONCLUSIONS: Despite the common origin, the pathways of the V4 countries in employment, poverty and education seem to be different, also having impact on health equity. Therefore, where you live in the V4 can significantly influence your health

Educational inequalities in blood pressure and cholesterol screening in nine European countries

Background To perform the first European overview of educational inequalities in the use of blood pressure and cholesterol screening. Methods Data were obtained on the use of screening services according to educational level from nationally representative cross-sectional surveys in Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Hungary, Italy, Latvia and Lithuania. Screening rates were examined in the preceding 12 months and 5 years, for respondents 35+ years (45+ for women). ORs comparing low-to high-educated respondents were estimated using logistic regression controlling for age. Results Inequalities in cholesterol screening favouring higher socioeconomic groups were demonstrated with statistical significance among men in four countries, whereby men with higher education were more likely to receive screening, with 1.22 as the highest OR. Among women, a similar pattern was found. Inequalities in blood pressure screening were even smaller and less often statistically significant. Hungary was the only country with higher rates of both types of screening in the low-educated Conclusions All European countries in this study had small educational inequalities in the utilisation of blood pressure and cholesterol screening. These inequalities are smaller than those previously observed in the USA. Further comparative studies need to distinguish between screening for preventive purposes and screening for treatment and control

Effect of nationwide tobacco control policies on smoking cessation in high and low educated groups in 18 European countries

Background: Recently a scale was introduced to quantify the implementation of tobacco control policies at country level. Our study used this scale to examine the potential impact of these policies on quit ratios in European countries. Special attention was given to smoking cessation among lower educational groups. Methods: Cross-sectional data were derived from national health surveys from 18 European countries. In the analyses we distinguished between country, sex, two age groups (25-39 and 40-59 years) and educational level. Age-standardised quit ratios were calculated as total former-smokers divided by total ever-smokers. In regression analyses we explored the correlation between national quit ratios and the national score on the Tobacco Control Scale (TCS). Results: Quit ratios were especially high (> 45%) in Sweden, England, The Netherlands, Belgium and France and relatively low (< 30%) in Lithuania and Latvia. Higher educated smokers were more likely to have quit smoking than lower educated smokers in all age-sex groups in all countries. National score on the tobacco control scale was positively associated with quit ratios in all age-sex groups. The association of quit ratios with score on TCS did not show consistent differences between high and low education. Of all tobacco control policies of which the TCS is constructed, price policies showed the strongest association with quit ratios, followed by an advertising ban. Conclusion: Countries with more developed tobacco control policies have higher quit ratios than countries with less developed tobacco control policies. High and low educated smokers benefit about equally from the nationwide tobacco control policies

Comparative appraisal of educational inequalities in overweight and obesity among adults in 19 European countries

Background In Western societies, a lower educational level is often associated with a higher prevalence of overweight and obesity. However, there may be important international differences in the strength and direction of this relationship, perhaps in respect of differing levels of socio-economic development. We aimed to describe educational inequalities in overweight and obesity across Europe, and to explore the contribution of level of socio-economic development to crossnational differences in educational inequalities in overweight and obese adults in Europe. Methods Cross-sectional data, based on self-reports, were derived from national health interview surveys from 19 European countries (N = 127 018; age range = 25-44 years). Height and weight data were used to calculate the body mass index (BMI). Multivariate regression analysis was employed to measure educational inequalities in overweight and obesity, based on BMI. Gross domestic product (GDP) per capita was used as a measure of level of socio-economic development. Results Inverse educational gradients in overweight and obesity (i.e. higher education, less overweight and obesity) are a generalized phenomenon among European men and even more so among women. Baltic and eastern European men were the exceptions, with weak positive associations between education and overweight and obesity. Educational inequalities in overweight and obesity were largest in Mediterranean women. A 10 000-euro increase in GDP was related to a 3% increase in overweight and obesity for low-educated men, but a 4% decrease for high-educated men. No associations with GDP were observed for women. Conclusion In most European countries, people of lower educational attainment are now most likely to be overweight or obese. An increasing level of socio-economic development was associated with an emergence of inequalities among men, and a persistence of these inequalities among women

Effect of the recent economic crisis on socioeconomic inequalities in mortality in nine urban areas in Europe

To analyse socioeconomic inequalities in all-cause mortality among men and women in nine European urban areas during the recent economic crisis, and to compare the results to those from two periods before the crisis. This is an ecological study of trends based on three time periods (2000-2003, 2004-2008 and 2009-2014). The units of analysis were the small areas of nine European urban areas. We used a composite deprivation index as a socioeconomic indicator, along with other single indicators. As a mortality indicator, we used the smoothed standardized mortality ratio, calculated using the hierarchical Bayesian model proposed by Besag, York and Mollié. To analyse the evolution of socioeconomic inequalities, we fitted an ecological regression model that included the socioeconomic indicator, the period of time, and the interaction between these terms. Results: We observed significant inequalities in mortality among men for almost all the socioeconomic indicators, periods, and urban areas studied. However, no significant changes occurred during the period of the economic crisis. While inequalities among women were less common, there was a statistically significant increase in inequality during the crisis period in terms of unemployment and the deprivation index in Prague and Stockholm, respectively. Future analyses should also consider time-lag in the effect of crises on mortality and specific causes of death, and differential effects between genders

Efecto de la reciente crisis económica en las desigualdades socioeconómicas enla mortalidad en nueve áreas urbanas europeas

Objective: To analyse socioeconomic inequalities in all-cause mortality among men and women in nineEuropean urban areas during the recent economic crisis, and to compare the results to those from twoperiods before the crisis.Method: This is an ecological study of trends based on three time periods (2000-2003, 2004-2008 and2009-2014). The units of analysis were the small areas of nine European urban areas. We used a com-posite deprivation index as a socioeconomic indicator, along with other single indicators. As a mortalityindicator, we used the smoothed standardized mortality ratio, calculated using the hierarchical Bayesianmodel proposed by Besag, York and Mollié. To analyse the evolution of socioeconomic inequalities, wefitted an ecological regression model that included the socioeconomic indicator, the period of time, andthe interaction between these terms.Results: We observed significant inequalities in mortality among men for almost all the socioeconomicindicators, periods, and urban areas studied. However, no significant changes occurred during the periodof the economic crisis. While inequalities among women were less common, there was a statisticallysignificant increase in inequality during the crisis period in terms of unemployment and the deprivationindex in Prague and Stockholm, respectively.Conclusions: Future analyses should also consider time-lag in the effect of crises on mortality and specificcauses of death, and differential effects between genders.Objetivo: Analizar las desigualdades socioeconómicas en la mortalidad por todas las causas en hombres ymujeres de nueve áreas urbanas europeas durante la reciente crisis económica, y comparar los resultadoscon dos periodos previos a la crisis.Método: Estudio ecológico de tendencias basado en tres periodos (2000-2003, 2004-2008 y 2009-2014).Las unidades de análisis fueron las áreas peque˜nas de nueve zonas urbanas europeas. Se utilizaron uníndice compuesto de privación socioeconómica como indicador socioeconómico y otros indicadores sim-ples. Como indicador de mortalidad se usó la razón de mortalidad estandarizada suavizada, calculadautilizando el modelo jerárquico bayesiano propuesto por Besag, York y Mollié. Para analizar la evoluciónde las desigualdades socioeconómicas se utilizó un modelo de regresión ecológico que incluía el indicadorsocioeconómico, el periodo y la interacción de ambos. Resultados: Se observaron desigualdades significativas en la mortalidad en los hombres para casi todoslos indicadores socioeconómicos, periodos y áreas urbanas. Sin embargo, no hubo cambios significativosen las desigualdades en el periodo de crisis. Aunque las desigualdades entre las mujeres fueron menoscomunes, hubo un incremento significativo en las desigualdades en mortalidad en el periodo de crisis entérminos de desempleo y del índice de privación en Praga y Estocolmo, respectivamente.Conclusiones: Futuros análisis deberán tener en cuenta el tiempo transcurrido entre la crisis y su efectoen la mortalidad, así como diferentes causas de mortalidad y el efecto diferencial entre género

Socioeconomic inequalities in diabetes mellitus across Europe at the beginning of the 21st century

Aims/hypothesis The aim of this study was to determine and quantify socioeconomic position (SEP) inequalities in diabetes mellitus in different areas of Europe, at the turn of the century, for men and women. Methods We analysed data from ten representative national health surveys and 13 mortality registers. For national health surveys the dependent variable was the presence of diabetes by self-report and for mortality registers it was death from diabetes. Educational level (SEP), age and sex were independent variables, and age-adjusted prevalence ratios (PRs) and risk ratios (RRs) were calculated. Results In the overall study population, low SEP was related to a higher prevalence of diabetes, for example men who attained a level of education equivalent to lower secondary school or less had a PR of 1.6 (95% CI 1.4-1.9) compared with those who attained tertiary level education, whereas the corresponding value in women was 2.2 (95% CI 1.9-2.7). Moreover, in all countries, having a disadvantaged SEP is related to a higher rate of mortality from diabetes and a linear relationship is observed. Eastern European countries have higher relative inequalities in mortality by SEP. According to our data, the RR of dying from diabetes for women with low a SEP is 3.4 (95% CI 2.6-4.6), while in men it is 2.0 (95% CI 1.7-2.4). In Europe, educational attainment and diabetes are inversely related, in terms of both morbidity and mortality rates. This underlines the importance of targeting interventions towards low SEP groups. Access and use of healthcare services by people with diabetes also need to be improved