Socioeconomic status in relation to cardiovascular disease and causespecific mortality: A comparison of Asian and Australasian populations in a pooled analysis

Abstract

Objectives: In Western countries, lower socioeconomic status is associated with a higher risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and premature mortality. These associations may plausibly differ in Asian populations, but data are scarce and direct comparisons between the two regions are lacking. We, thus, aimed to compare such associations between Asian and Western populations in a large collaborative study, using the highest level of education attained as our measure of social status. Setting: Cohort studies in general populations conducted in Asia or Australasia. Participants: 303 036 people (71% from Asia) from 24 studies in the Asia Pacific Cohort Studies Collaboration. Studies had to have a..