Mortality among Koreans living in Osaka, Japan, 1973–1982

Abstract

The mortality pattern of Koreans living in Osaka, Japan was surveyed by comparing their age-specific and age-adjusted death rates with those among Japanese during 1973-1982. Cancer was the leading cause of death among Korean males, while cerebrovascular disease was most common among Korean females in Osaka. Mortality rates from tuberculosis, cancer, mental disorder, cerebrovascular disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases (COPD), liver cirrhosis, accidents and suicide were significantly higher for Korean males than for Japanese males. COPD, liver cirrhosis and accidents were more frequent for Korean females than for Japanese females. In cancers, liver cancer was most common among Korean males, followed by stomach and lung cancers. Stomach cancer was most frequent among Korean females, followed by uterine and liver cancers. The ratio of cancer mortality rates for Koreans and Japanese was significantly higher than 1.0 for oesophagus, liver and lung among males, and for liver among females. Koreans had considerably higher levels of liver cancer and liver cirrhosis compared with Japanese. Mortality from stomach cancer was significantly lower in both sexes among Koreans in Osaka and the reduction of this disease among Koreans in Japan occurred more rapidly than among Japanese.

Difference in subjective well‐being between ethnic Korean and Japanese elderly residents in an urban community in Japan

“…Precipitating factors were suggested to be the high prevalence of hepatitis C and B virus carriers, and heavy drinkers among Koreans in Osaka. Investigations of health problems among Koreans in Japan have mainly focused on age‐adjusted mortality rates 8–11 and the prevalence of liver diseases 12,13 . Previous socioeconomic research revealed that financial difficulties are common among Korean elderly 14,15 .…”