Poverty is not the absolute cause of deaths due to non-communicable diseases

Background: The pathways for development of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) are sedentary behaviour, common dietary habits of the Western world, tobacco use, stress, and alcoholism among individuals and populations with underlying lack of general and health education. However, some experts have observed that poverty is the primary cause of disability and deaths due to NCDs. This study examines the association of social class and social determinants of health as risk factors for deaths due to NCDs. Subjects and methods: Randomly selected death records of 2,222 (1,385 men and 837 women) decedents, aged 25-64 years at time of death, out of 3,034 death records, were studied by verbal autopsy questionnaires, during 1999-2001 from the records at the Municipal Corporation in Moradabad. All the risk factors were assessed by questionnaires which werecompleted with the help of the victim's spouse and a local treating doctor practising in the concerned field. Social classes were assessed, based on attributes of per capita income, occupation, education, housing, and ownership of consumer luxury items in the household. Poverty was considered if the total family income was