PREVALENCE OF CHRONIC RESPIRATORY DISEASE IN A NEW HAMPSHIRE TOWN

Abstract

A prevalence survey was conducted in the winter and summer of 1961 in a northern New Hampshire town that had a large pulp and paper industry. More than 95% of a probability sample of the population stratified by age was selected and interviewed by means of a standard respiratory questionnaire in conjunction with 2 tests of respiratory function. In this preliminary report, emphasis has been placed upon methods. The significance of the variables of age, sex, and smoking habits has been outlined. The problems of differentiating these effects from those of atmospheric pollution have been stressed. Special emphasis is placed upon the importance of controlling the smoking variable before the effects of other variables such as atmospheric pollution can be determined.