The mean birthweight increased and the preterm rate decreased in Estonia as a whole during the transition. However, the improvements were not shared equally by all social groups. An increase in variation in birthweight by maternal education was particularly notable.
This study examined cancer incidence (1986–2008) and mortality
(1986–2011) among the Estonian Chernobyl cleanup workers in comparison
with the Estonian male population. The cohort of 4,810 men was followed through
nationwide population, mortality and cancer registries. Cancer and death risks
were measured by standardized incidence ratio (SIR) and standardized mortality
ratio (SMR), respectively. Poisson regression was used to analyze the effects of
year of arrival, duration of stay, and time since return on cancer and death
risks. The SIR for all cancers was 1.06 with 95% confidence interval
0.93–1.20 (232 cases). Elevated risks were found for cancers of pharynx,
oesophagus, and the joint category of alcohol-related sites. No clear evidence
of an increased risk of thyroid cancer, leukaemia, or radiation-related cancer
sites combined was apparent. The SMR for all causes of death was 1.02 with 95%
confidence interval 0.96–1.08 (1,018 deaths). Excess mortality was
observed for mouth and pharynx cancer, alcohol-related cancer sites together,
and suicide. Duration of stay rather than year of arrival was associated with
increased mortality. Twenty-six years of follow-up of this cohort indicates no
definite health effects attributable to radiation, but the elevated suicide risk
has persisted.
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