Differences in Lifestyle-related Risk Factors for Death by Occupational Groups; A Prospective Study: Megumi HARA et al. Department of Community Health Science, Saga Medical School—To evaluate the relationship between lifestyle and risk of death from all causes in different occupational groups, we conducted a follow-up (13.6 years) study of 2,262 subjects who were selected randomly out of 40-69 year-old inhabitants of Saga Prefecture in 1983. At that time it was found that among male

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... workers, as well as blue-collar workers, the risk of death was significantly associated with poor health status. The smoking habit had increased the relative risk of death, but a significant difference was found only among male white-collar workers. Among male farmers, as well as the male blue-collar workers, risk of death was associated with a low score in the physical function test in 1983. In female sales and service workers, the risk of death was significantly associated with decreased physical activity. Among the female farmers, there was no significant relationship between any lifestyle and risk of death. Among the female housekeepers and the retired, the risk of death was significantly associated with poor health status in 1983. Consequently the results of this study suggest that there may be some differences in risk factors for death associated with occupational group, but it can be inferred from the results that keeping in good health, maintaining high physical function, and quitting smoking may reduce the risk of death in all occupational groups. (J Occup Health 1999; 41: 137-143)