A study in bmj.com , shows a dramatic rise of fatalities amongst Japanese men in managerial or professional positions, compared with other professions, over the past three decades. Experts hypothesize that this increase is due to Japan’s economic stagnation. The researchers warn that the economic collapse may trigger other economies to experience the same fate as Japan, with the health of developed nations potentially suffering because of the risks linked to economic changes.
In their study, researchers from the Kitasato University School of Medicine in Japan evaluated mortality rate trends amongst working-age men, aged between 30 to 59, from 1980 to 2005, with data obtained from the Japanese Ministry of Health. The data included information on the deceased’s occupations. The findings demonstrated that the four main causes of death were due to cancer, heart disease, brain disease and accidental death. They assorted the deaths into ten different categories by occupations, such as management, professional, production or labor and unemployed.
The findings showed a decrease in mortality rates since 1980 amongst all workers, apart from those in managerial and professional jobs, which showed an increase in mortality of 70%. The lowest death rates were observed amongst production or labor workers, as well as amongst clerical and sales workers. In addition, they found that suicide rates had also rapidly increased in all occupations. However, the largest increase was noted amongst those working in managerial and professional positions.
According to public health specialists, the economic stagnation in Japan is the culprit for this situation, with changes in work environments and a significant link between mental disorders and mortality rates related to stress and health outcomes. In addition, the researchers noted that health risks linked to high job demands have become more frequent in Japan, with more people being overweight, drinking high amounts of alcohol and doing insufficient exercise, all of which represent cancer risk factors. The researchers believe that changes in work environment may also account as the main reason for higher suicide rates during the past years.
In conclusion, the researchers say that the major economic crash of the 1990s and the subsequent years of economic stagnation are responsible for the rapid increase in Japanese death rates. They highlight that it is important to react fast to health consequences of an economic collapse, particularly since the global economic crises in 2008.
According to the researchers, the changes in Japan are a vivid reminder that “health gains in modern societies may not be guaranteed and could be vulnerable to sudden socioeconomic changes”.
Written by Petra Rattue