(25.04.08)
"The Public Health Report Denmark 2007" The first overall Danish public health report is a collation of available knowledge about the state of health, morbidity and trends in these as well as public health determinants. Trends in Denmark are also elucidated in an international perspective.
■ The report comprises four main sections. The fi rst section examines the development in illness in Denmark generally and in relation to the eight widespread diseases – in Denmark called “folk-diseases” – (cardiovascular diseases, cancer,
musculoskeletal diseases, mental diseases, chronic obstructive lung disease, diabetes, and asthma and allergy)
together with infectious diseases, accidents and violence as well as dental status.
The second section sheds light on factors of signifi cance to public health. First the ”KRAM” factors (diet, smoking,
alcohol and exercise) and other lifestyle factors (stress, overweight and use of illicit drugs). Then selected areas governed
by living conditions, the importance of the working environment, the external environment and nature for public health.
Last follows an examination of the importance of the health services, including the importance of screening, and the need
for evidence-based prevention and health promotion.
In the third part the focus is on the state of health of selected population groups: children, elderly, men and women,
social differences and ethnic minorities. In the fourth and fi nal part, it is attempted to look into the future. How will
morbidity develop up to 2020, what will the impact on hospital services be like, and how will preventive and healthpromoting initiatives go?
■ The “folk-diseases” are monopolizing so many resources, creating a poor life for many people and burdening the health
services.
■ Life expectancy continues to rise and in 2006 is 75.9 years of age for men and 80.4 for women, but compared with other
OECD countries Denmark still ranks bottom.
■ Many factors have a bearing on the development of “folk-diseases” (widespread diseases). There is a complex interaction
involved between individual lifestyle factors, social relations and communities, living conditions and working conditions
as well as general socioeconomic, cultural and environmental terms. The individual lifestyle factors account for much of
this interaction. The health services seem to be taking on ever greater importance for a proper ability to function and quality of life among the elderly.
■ There is a positive trend in a number of health habits. The proportion of daily smokers has fallen, but numbers of heavy
smokers are growing among those that do smoke. The proportion of physically active people is on the increase. Dietary
habits have improved, with a drop in fat content and increasing intake of fruit and vegetables. The use of hash (cannabis)
and other illicit drugs seems to have stagnated.
■ The negative side includes a marked rise in the proportion of obese people, an increase in the proportion of people exceeding sensible drinking limits, and a small but constant increase in the proportion that often feels stressed.
■ Many middle-aged and elderly people have high blood pressure and among those on treatment, only one third are considered to be on optimum treatment. In general, falling cholesterol levels are in evidence.
■ Working environment conditions and the state of the environment generally (air, soil, water, radiation, foodstuffs and indoor
environment) have a bearing on the development of a number of disorders: musculoskeletal disorders, asthma and
allergy, cancer, cardiovascular disorders, respiratory disorders, infectious disorders and skin disorders.
■ Most children and young people are prospering and developing in keeping with their age. But children and young
people’s health behaviour are worrying in a number of areas, primarily with regard to smoking, alcohol consumption and
physical inactivity. Approx. every tenth child is living with some chronic illness.
■ The physical functional level and quality of life of the elderly have improved. From 1987 to 2005 life expectancy without
functional limitations for 60-year-olds rose by 2.4 years for men and 1.3 years for women.
■ There are still clear differences between men’s and women’s state of health and morbidity, and clear social differences
in the population’s health behaviour, morbidity, use of the health services and mortality. The disparity in health has not
been eliminated—men’s mortality is still greatest, and women live with more illness than men.
■ The increase to date in morbidity is expected to continue. It is estimated that in 2020 there will be approx. two million
adults stating that they have one or more long-standing illness, corresponding to a total growth of approx. 300,000
adults from 2005 to 2020.
■ Activity in the health services is also expected to rise. The number of hospital admissions is estimated to rise by approx.
230,000 to just under 1.4 million admissions in 2020, and the number of outpatient contacts is expected to almost double
from 2005 to 2020 to approx. five million in 2020.
■ The current state of health and the statistical projections for health development up to 2020 signal a need for considerably increased efforts to promote health and prevent disease and in order to give the increasing group of chronically ill a good range of treatments as part of the health services.