Social inequalities and health
People with a higher social status live longer and are healthier than people from a lower social status. This is both a public health problem and a social rights problem. In research education, career and income are used as goals for socioeconomic status.
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The risk of disease and disability increases with age. However, many elderly people consider themselves to be in good health. This applies to the majority of men and women aged 65-75 years. Two-thirds of 80-year-olds are also in good health. For the group with impaired health, the severe health problems and functional impairment begin particularly after 80-85 years. Often several diseases and health problems occur simultaneously which can lead to a high consumption of medicines.
Read more [28.01.2011]
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Nine out of ten secondary school students and eight out of ten adults consider their health to be good or very good according to studies of health and living conditions. Also two out of three elderly people living at home report that they have good health.
Read more [04.01.2011]
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Almost 10 per cent of the population lives in households with persistent low income. Among women aged 65 and over, 21 per cent fall below the low income limit. Low income is a risk factor for physical and mental health problems.
Read more [23.11.2010]
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Education level is associated with health. When health is measured in terms of mortality, it is found that those with the highest education level have the lowest mortality. In other words, people with a high education live longer.
Read more [22.04.2009]
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The proportion of elderly in the population is increasing. Up until 2020, the proportion of 65-74-year olds will increase. After that, the proportion over 75 years will rise. The size of the different age groups in the population is important for planning future health services.
Read more [20.04.2009]
