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We wanted to test whether living environment, occupation and social position are risk factors for asthma and chronic bronchitis/emphysema (CBE). The prevalence of bronchial asthma, CBE, respiratory symptoms and smoking habits in a random sample of 12071 adults aged 20–59 years was assessed in a postal survey with a slightly modified questionnaire previously used in central and northern Sweden (The OLIN studies). Occupation was coded according to a socio-economic classification system. Six different living environment areas were defined; city–countryside, seaside–not seaside and living close to heavy traffic-not living close to heavy traffic. Multiple logistic regression analysis (forward conditional) was applied to estimate the association between the proposed set of risk factors and self-reported obstructive lung diseases and lower respiratory symptoms controlling for age, gender and smoking. After two reminders, the response rate was 70·1% (n=8469); 33·8% of the responders were smokers. In all, 469 subjects (5·5%) stated that they had asthma and 4·6% reported CBE. Besides smoking, which was a risk for both asthma and CBE, there were different risk patterns for self-reported asthma and CBE. In the economically active population there was a tendency that CBE was more common among ‘unskilled and semi-skilled workers’. This fact was further emphasized when the population was merged into the two groups ‘low social position’ and ‘middle/high social position’, with ‘low social position’ as a risk for CBE (OR=1·35, 95% CI=1·06–1·72). No social risk factors were identified for asthma. Living close to heavy traffic was a risk factor for asthma (OR=1·29, 95% CI=1·02–1·62) but not for CBE. Apart from this no living environmental risk factors for obstructive pulmonary diseases were identified. Asthma symptoms and long-standing cough were more common among those subjects living close to heavy traffic compared to those not living close to heavy traffic. To conclude, low social position was a risk factor for CBE and living close to heavy traffic was a risk factor for asthma.

The prevalence of obstructive lung diseases is increasing in Scandinavia and worldwide. The reasons for this are not known. The prevalence varies between countries but also between different areas within the same country. In northern Europe a north-south gradient and also an east-west gradient have been proposed. To our knowledge this is the first comprehensive epidemiological study concerning obstructive lung diseases and respiratory symptoms in the southern part of Sweden. The prevalence of bronchial asthma, chronic bronchitis/emphysema, respiratory symptoms, smoking habits and medication in a random sample of 12 071 adults aged 20–59 years was assessed in a postal survey with a slightly modified questionnaire previously used in central and northern Sweden (the OLIN Studies). The questionnaire was based on the British Medical Research Council (BMRC) questionnaire. We also compared the prevalence figures of asthma found in the postal survey with those reported in the medical records in a part of the study area. After two reminders, the response rate was 70·1% (n=8469); 33·8% of the responders were smokers. Among younger (20–39 year age group) individuals, smoking was most common in women, whereas in those aged 40–59 years, smoking was more common in men. In all, 469 subjects (5·5%) stated that they had asthma, 41·6% of whom reported a family history of asthma compared to 15·9% of the study sample not reporting asthma. Of all subjects reporting asthma, 60·1% (n=282) answered that they used asthma drugs. Inhaled steroids were used by 20·7%. Chronic bronchitis and/or emphysema was reported by 4·6% (n=392), 28·6% of whom reported a family history of chronic bronchitis or emphysema compared to 6·8% of the study sample not reporting chronic bronchitis. The most common respiratory symptom in the study population was ‘phlegm when coughing’ reported by 15·1% (n=1279). Our data show a prevalence of self-reported asthma of 5·5% compared with 7% reported by Lunbäck et al. in northern Sweden, which indicates a north-south gradient.

The purpose of this project is to use multimedia techniques to increase public knowledge about malignant melanoma and the risk factors for developing the disease, to increase awareness of preventive measures, and to make people more disposed to change their life style habits. The program is also intended to be a source of knowledge and reference for different categories of medical staff. The program is resident on CD-ROM. Different presentations can be selected for different target groups; (1) Pregnant women and parents with small children; (2) General population; (3) Health care staff. When in use for the public, the monitor is enclosed in a kiosk and equipped with a touch screen. The multimedia program will be demonstrated and results of an extensive assessment reported.