Coronary heart disease from a life-course approach: findings from the health and retirement study, 1998-2004.

OBJECTIVE

Guided by a life-course approach to chronic disease, this study examined the ways in which childhood deprivation (low parental education and father's manual occupation) may be associated with coronary heart disease (CHD).

METHOD

Multilevel modeling techniques and a nationally representative sample of Americans above age 50 from the Health and Retirement Study (HRS; N = 18,465) were used to examine childhood and CHD relationships over the course of 6 years (1998-2004).

RESULTS

Having a father with </=8 years of education was associated with 11% higher odds of CHD, accounting for demographic characteristics, adult socioeconomic status (SES; education, income, and wealth), CHD risks (diabetes, hypertension, cigarette smoking, and obesity), and other factors (childhood health, exercise, stroke, and marital status).

DISCUSSION

Policies and programs aimed at improving the conditions of poor children and their families may effectively reduce the prevalence of CHD in later life.