Mortality risks in Australian men by occupational groups, 1968-1978: variations associated with differences in drinking and smoking habits.

Analysis of patterns of male mortality in Australia during 1968-1978 shows elevated death rates from liver cirrhosis, alcoholism and alcoholic psychosis in various rural, service, and "blue-collar" occupations. The risks of mortality from lung cancer and cancers of the upper alimentary tract and larynx--sites influenced by alcohol and tobacco consumption--are raised in the latter two groups. In contrast, the risks of mortality from cancer of the colon, thought to be influenced by dietary "affluence", are consistently higher for professional and "white-collar" groups. As reported in other populations, stomach cancer mortality risks are higher for service and blue-collar groups. The risks of mortality from coronary heart disease and cerebrovascular disease are also higher, albeit moderately, for these two groups. The consideration of personal behaviour as a reflection of socioeconomic and subcultural influences is a prerequisite to effective community health education.