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Monday, July 20, 2009

Fluctuations in male ischaemic heart disease mortality in Russia 1959–1998: Assessing the importance of alcohol
Drug and Alcohol Review Volume 28 Issue 4, Pages 390 - 395

The decline in cardiovascular mortality in Russia following the Soviet anti-alcohol campaign of 1985–1988 and the subsequent increase when these extreme alcohol controls were repealed suggested that alcohol consumption is responsible for a substantial number of ischaemic heart disease (IHD) deaths in Russia. To examine whether a similar conclusion can be drawn on the basis of a time-series analysis covering a longer time period, namely 1959–1998.

The results provide additional empirical evidence supporting alcohol's conceivable negative effects on IHD in Russia and the idea that binge drinking could be the mechanism through which this effect is mediated. There were no signs of any protective effects from alcohol among Russian men.


Request Reprint E-Mail: mats.ramstedt@sorad.su.se

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