[Social and health conditions in a former coal mining area in Fukuoka, Japan].

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the residual effect of the former coal mining industry upon the social and health conditions of an area that was the side of a once prospering coal mining industry. The area was partitioned into two types of districts according to the percentage of residential housing that was for coal miners. The first district consisted predominantly of tenant homes for the coal miners (coal miner district) and the remaining area made up the second district (other district). Health conditions in the two districts were compared by standard mortality rates (SMR), and age-specific death rates for all disease and non-disease related deaths. Social conditions were compared based upon sex, age, employment stauts, and job type. The results were as follows: (1) Total unemployment rate, the percentage of households with no income earner, and single-family households, was higher in the coal miner district than in the other district. (2) The SMRs for all deaths in the coal miner district were significantly higher than in the other district. (3) While not significant the SMRs for disease related deaths were higher in the coal miner district. (4) Even in the younger age group (both male and female), while having no direct relationship with the coal mining industry, the SMRs were higher in the coal mine district. (5) The SMRs for suicides and homicides that occurred among the men residing in the coal miner district were higher. In conclusion, the social and health conditions in this former coal mining residential area were poorer than in the other area.