Self-Rated Health and Mortality Among Young men: What is the Relation and how may it be Explained?

This study examined the relation between self-related health & mortality among young men, & factors in youth & adolescence that could explain the relation. 49,321 men born in 1949-51 in Sweden participated in a nationwide military conscription survey in 1969-70. Poor self-rated health at conscription was associated with increased mortality during the 27 years of follow-up. Suicide was identified as the leading cause of death in this sample (385). The authors conclude that poor self-health among young men is a predictor of future mortality. (26 refs) (SC)