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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Hisashi Imai, PhD, Department of Business, Yamanashi Gakuin University, 2-4-5 Sakaori, Kofu, Yamanashi, Japan, +81-55-224-1299, imai@ygu.ac.jp, Yasuhisa Takeda, MD, PhD, Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, 1-2-2 Kasumigaseki, Chiyoda, Tokyo, Japan, Naoki Kondo, MD, PhD, Department of Health Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Yamanashi, 1110 Shimokato, Chuo-shi, Yamanashi, 409-3898, Japan, and Zentaro Yamagata, MD, PhD, Department of Health Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Yamanashi, 1110 Shimokato, Tamaho, Yamanashi, Japan.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the association between economic factors and mental stress using the data from a Japanese national survey, i.e., the Comprehensive Survey of Living Conditions of the People on Health and Welfare (CSLCPHW) conducted in 2001. We used individual incomes, average district incomes, and the standard deviation of individual incomes for each district, as economic factors that may cause mental stress.

METHODS: The CSLCPHW assessed the stress level of each respondent through 28 items requiring “yes” or “no” answers. These items covered various sources of stress. We performed separate factor analyses for male and female responses. Accordingly, among both women and men, three factors of stress emerged. We performed the multivariable logistic regression analyses for those three types of mental stress. We used age and marital status (married or single) as demographic covariates. We also determined whether the respondent had visited or stayed in hospital, whether the respondent had a paid job, whether there was a person who needed care in the household, and whether there was a child in the household.

RESULTS: Individuals at lower income levels and/or those who lived in wealthy communities tended to have a higher level of mental stress. On the other hand, our study has not found the association between income disparity and mental stress.

CONCLUSION: Our results indicate that not only individual economic information but also district economic information needs to be considered in order to decrease mental stress, which is one of the risk factors influencing individual health.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the participant (learner) in this session will be able to

• List economic indicators that influence mental stress.
• Recognize the importance of district economic information for the community health.
• Develop a medical policy with an eye to income distribution.

Keywords: Economic Analysis, Mental Health

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Not Answered