Epidemiology of Cardiovascular and Non-Cardiovascular Risk In Chicago

BACKGROUND:

Over the last forty years, epidemiologic studies have made basic contributions to knowledge of the etiology and natural history of the chronic diseases -- cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and cancers. Findings from the epidemiologic studies have provided practical foundations for the development of prevention and control programs to improve life styles and to control high blood pressure by drugs, when indicated. These developments and their impact on life styles and risk factors have probably contributed to the marked decline in mortality rates from coronary heart disease, stroke, all cardiovascular disease, and all causes throughout the 1970s and 1980s.

The four epidemiologic studies have as their foundation the major contributions of the earlier 'first generation' epidemiological studies including the Albany Civil Servant Study, the Charleston Study, the Framingham Heart Study, the Tecumseh Study and others. The significance of these studies lies in their potential for elucidating key 'second generation' issues in the epidemiology of the major cardiovascular and non-cardiovascular chronic diseases.

DESIGN NARRATIVE:

Chicago Heart Association Detection Project in Industry: Employees of 85 firms in the greater Chicago area were screened between the Fall of 1967 to early 1973. The total labor force among these companies was over 75,000 persons. The volunteer rate for the screening was 55 percent. All employees were encouraged to participate irrespective of job type or shift worked. At each employment site data were collected on smoking habits, previous medical diagnosis, current treatments for hypertension, heart disease and diabetes, height and weight, age, sex, race, heart rate.