Showing papers in "Scandinavian Journal of Public Health in 2011"
TL;DR: The Danish Civil Registration System (CRS) in connection with other registers and biobanks will continue to provide the basis for significant knowledge relevant to the aetiological understanding and possible prevention of human diseases.
Abstract: Introduction: The Danish Civil Registration System (CRS) was established in 1968, and all persons alive and living in Denmark were registered for administrative use. Content: CRS includes individual information on the unique personal identification number, name, gender, date of birth, place of birth, citizenship, identity of parents and continuously updated information on vital status, place of residence and spouses. Validity and coverage: Since 1968, CRS has recorded current and historical information on all persons living in Denmark. Among persons born in Denmark in 1960 or later it contains complete information on maternal identity. For women born in Denmark in April 1935 or later it contains complete information on all their children. CRS contains complete information on immigrations and emigrations from 1969 onwards, permanent residence in a Danish municipality from 1971 onwards, and full address in Denmark from 1977 onwards. Conclusion: CRS in connection with other registers and biobanks will continue to provide the basis for significant knowledge relevant to the aetiological understanding and possible prevention of human diseases.
3,724 citations
TL;DR: Although the NPR is overall a sound data source, both the content and the definitions of single variables have changed over time and researchers using the data should carefully consider potential fallacies in the data before drawing conclusions.
Abstract: Introduction: The Danish National Patient Register (NPR) was established in 1977, and it is considered to be the finest of its kind internationally. Content: At the onset the register included information on inpatient in somatic wards. The content of the register has gradually been expanded, and since 2007 the register has included information on all patients in Danish hospitals. Validity and coverage: Although the NPR is overall a sound data source, both the content and the definitions of single variables have changed over time. Changes in the organisation and provision of health services may affect both the type and the completeness of registrations. Conclusion: The NPR is a unique data source. Researchers using the data should carefully consider potential fallacies in the data before drawing conclusions.
3,275 citations
TL;DR: The possibility of linkage with many other nationwide individual-level data sources renders the DNPR a very powerful pharmacoepidemiological tool.
Abstract: Introduction: Individual-level data on all prescription drugs sold in Danish community pharmacies has since 1994 been recorded in the Register of Medicinal Products Statistics of the Danish Medicines Agency. Content: The register subset, termed the Danish National Prescription Registry (DNPR), contains information on dispensed prescriptions, including variables at the level of the drug user, the prescriber, and the pharmacy. Validity and coverage: Reimbursement-driven record keeping, with automated bar-code-based data entry provides data of high quality, including detailed information on the dispensed drug. Conclusion: The possibility of linkage with many other nationwide individual-level data sources renders the DNPR a very powerful pharmacoepidemiological tool.
1,828 citations
TL;DR: Cause-specific mortality statistics is a valuable source for the identification of risk factors for poor public health and the quality of the register on causes of death relies mainly upon the correctness of the physicians’ notification and the coding in the National Board of Health.
Abstract: Introduction: Cause-specific mortality statistics is a valuable source for the identification of risk factors for poor public health. Content: Since 1875, the National Board of Health has maintained the register covering all deaths among citizens dying in Denmark, and since 1970 has computerised individual records. Validity and coverage: Classification of cause(s) of deaths is done in accordance to WHO’s rules, since 1994 by ICD-10 codes. A change in coding practices and a low autopsy rate might influence the continuity and validity in cause-specific mortality. Conclusion: The longstanding national registration of causes of death is essential for much research. The quality of the register on causes of death relies mainly upon the correctness of the physicians’ notification and the coding in the National Board of Health.
1,265 citations
TL;DR: The PCRR is a valuable tool in national health planning and in epidemiological research and systematic studies validating the clinical diagnoses do not exist.
Abstract: Introduction: The Psychiatric Central Research Register (PCRR) has continued since 1970 with electronic registration of patients treated at psychiatric departments in Denmark. Content: The register contains dates of onset and end of any treatment; all diagnoses; type of referral; place of treatment; municipality of residence; mode of admission. Validity and coverage: Systematic studies validating the clinical diagnoses do not exist. However, several studies have validated specific diagnoses. The nationwide registration of severe mental disorders is almost complete. However, most cases with mild to moderate mental disorders are diagnosed and treated by general practitioners or specialists in psychiatry working in private practice and are thus not registered in the PCRR. Conclusion: The PCRR is a valuable tool in national health planning and in epidemiological research.
1,218 citations
TL;DR: In 2008 the Cancer Registry finished a process of modernisation where reporting became electronic through integration with the patient administrative systems and manual coding was partly replaced by an automatic coding logic.
Abstract: Introduction: The Danish Cancer Registry was founded in 1942. Content: The Cancer Registry contains data on the incidence of cancer in the Danish population since 1943. Validity and coverage: Validity of the Cancer Registry is secured by the application of manual quality control routines in the daily production of the Cancer Registry, the application of the automated cancer logic, and the use of multiple notifications from different data sources, which also secures a high degree of completeness. Conclusion: In 2008 the Cancer Registry finished a process of modernisation where reporting became electronic through integration with the patient administrative systems and manual coding was partly replaced by an automatic coding logic.
1,078 citations
TL;DR: The validity and coverage of the Danish education registers are very high, and the most widely used register is the Population Education Register (PER).
Abstract: Introduction: Collection of systematic information on education is a long-established practice in Denmark. Content: We describe the education registers available through Statistics Denmark. In particular, we describe the most widely used register: the Population Education Register (PER). Validity and coverage: In 2008, 96% of the Danish population aged 15–69 have non-missing education information in PER. For the immigrant population born in the same cohorts the coverage is 85–90%, which is a high coverage in an international context. Conclusion: The validity and coverage of the Danish education registers are very high.
932 citations
TL;DR: The Danish Data Archive is introduced and the Act on Processing of Personal Data is presented, which is the legal foundation for analyses of register-based data in Denmark.
Abstract: Danish registers contain information on many important health and social issues. Because all Danish citizens have a unique personal identification number, linkage at the individual level between these nationwide registers and other data sources is possible and feasible. In this paper we briefly introduce selected Danish registers and the data structure and requirements forgetting access to data at Statistics Denmark, which is the main provider of register data. We introduce the Danish Data Archive and briefly present the Act on Processing of Personal Data, which is the legal foundation for analyses of register-based data in Denmark.
838 citations
TL;DR: The registers on income and transfer payments include many variables on the income composition, and the income data are generally of high quality, but for variables not relevant for administrators the quality may be lower.
Abstract: Introduction: The Income Statistics Register provided by Statistics Denmark is the key register describing the income composition of the entire Danish population starting in 1970. Content: The register contains more than 160 variables including salaries, entrepreneurial income, taxes, public transfer payments, capital income, private pension contributions, and payouts. In addition, Statistics Denmark provide more detailed registers on specific income transfers, including sickness benefit, old age pension, disability pension, and cash and unemployment benefits. Validity and coverage: The income data are generally of high quality, but for variables not relevant for administrators the quality may be lower. Conclusion: The registers on income and transfer payments include many variables on the income composition.
621 citations
TL;DR: The Danish National Health Service Register is useful for research purposes but reservations must be made regarding its validity.
Abstract: Introduction: To describe the Danish National Health Service Register in relation to research. Content: The register contains data collected for administrative and scientific purposes from health contractors in primary health care. It includes information about citizens, providers, and health services but minimal clinical information. Validity and coverage: The register covers everyone living in Denmark and data is available from 1990. No validity studies have been reported. Because the data is connected to reimbursement the coverage is assumed to be good. Conclusion: The strengths of the register include completeness, size, and long follow-up period. It is useful for research purposes but reservations must be made regarding its validity.
615 citations
TL;DR: These registers provide valuable information on personal labour market affiliation and can be used to study determinants and consequences of labour market affiliations.
Abstract: Introduction: Statistics Denmark has a number of registers about labour market affiliation, which includes information on employees, establishments and the relation between employees and establishments. Content: The registers describe a person’s attachment to the labour market, information on the establishments and information on the relations between persons and establishments. The registers presented either include information at one specific point in time each year (end of November) or during the year. Validity and coverage: Both the validity and coverage of the registers are considered to be high. Conclusion: These registers provide valuable information on personal labour market affiliation and can be used to study determinants and consequences of labour market affiliation.
TL;DR: The data in the Danish Pathology Register is unique for research as data can be linked to tissue biobanks and clinical databases and is used by the pathologists in the daily diagnostic process.
Abstract: Introduction: The National Board of Health, Denmark in 1997 published guidelines for reporting of pathology data and the Danish Pathology Register (DPR) was established. Content: DPR contains patient, pathology, and workload data. Validity and coverage: All records are subject to error tracing. The DPR covers all pathology data in Denmark. Conclusion: The data is used by the pathologists in the daily diagnostic process. The National Board of Health uses the data in the Danish Cancer Registry and DPR is unique for research as data can be linked to tissue biobanks and clinical databases.
TL;DR: A rather small but reliable evidence base supports the effectiveness and appropriateness of NAT as a relevant resource for public health.
Abstract: Background: Nature's potentially positive effect on human health may serve as an important public health intervention. While several scientific studies have been performed on the subject, no systematic review of existing evidence has until date been established. Methods: This article is a systematic evaluation of available scientific evidence for nature-assisted therapy (NAT). With the design of a systematic review relevant data sources were scrutinised to retrieve studies meeting predefined inclusion criteria. The methodological quality of studies and abstracted data were assessed for intervention studies on NAT for a defined disease. The final inclusion of a study was decided by the authors together. Results: The included studies were heterogeneous for participant characteristics, intervention type, and methodological quality. Three meta-analyses, six studies of high evidence grade (four reporting significant improvement), and 29 studies of low to moderate evidence grade (26 reporting health improvements) were included. For the studies with high evidence grade, the results were generally positive, though somewhat ambiguous. Among the studies of moderate to low evidence grade, health improvements were reported in 26 cases out of 29. Conclusions: This review gives at hand that a rather small but reliable evidence base supports the effectiveness and appropriateness of NAT as a relevant resource for public health. Significant improvements were found for varied outcomes in diverse diagnoses, spanning from obesity to schizophrenia. Recommendations for specific areas of future research of the subject are provided.
TL;DR: The Adolescent Pathway Model is useful for providing an overview of what elements and mechanisms in adolescence may be of special importance for adult health inequalities.
Abstract: Aims: This paper presents a model that encompasses pathways and mechanisms working over adolescence that contribute to adult health inequalities. We review evidence on the four mechanisms: socially differential exposure, tracking, socially differential tracking, and socially differential vulnerability. Methods: We conducted literature searches in English-language peer-reviewed journals using PubMed (from 1966 to May 2009) and PsycINFO, and combined these with hand-searches of reference lists, journals, and authors of particular relevance. Results: Most health indicators are socially patterned in adolescence and track into adulthood, with higher risks of adverse outcomes among individuals from lower socioeconomic positions. Adolescent health behaviours track into adulthood. Smoking, physical activity, and especially fruit and vegetable intake are socially patterned, while evidence for social patterning of alcohol use is less consistent. Relational dimensions like lone parenthood and bullying are socially patterned and track over time, and there are indications of a socially differential vulnerability to the effects of these types of relational strain. Very little research has investigated the social patterning of the above indicators over time or studied social vulnerability of these indicators from adolescence to adulthood. However, all four mechanisms seem to be active in establishing social differences in adult educational attainment. Conclusions: We find the Adolescent Pathway Model useful for providing an overview of what elements and mechanisms in adolescence may be of special importance for adult health inequalities. There is a lack of knowledge of how social patterns of health, health behaviours, and social relations in adolescence transfer into adulthood and to what extent they reflect themselves in adult health.
TL;DR: A National Diabetes Register was established in the National Board of Health in 2006 following a pilot study showing the feasibility of doing so based on existing registers and is a source of demographic information for the diabetes population in itself, but also a linkable information for studies of diabetes as outcome and as determinant.
Abstract: Introduction: A National Diabetes Register was established in the National Board of Health in 2006 following a pilot study showing the feasibility of doing so based on existing registers. Content: The register contains data of birth, date of inclusion, and date of death as well as information on the criteria met for inclusion. Validity and coverage: The register is more than 90% complete when compared to records of general practitioners, and it covers the entire Danish population. Conclusion: The register is a source of demographic information for the diabetes population in itself, but also a source of linkable information for studies of diabetes as outcome and as determinant.
TL;DR: Systematic efforts of experts in public health, health policy, and international health are important in identifying and prioritising the needs for HiAP, in analysing health implications of policies and policy proposals and making these understood by the policy-makers, as well as in suggesting feasible solutions.
Abstract: Aims: The fact that health is largely constructed outside the remits of the health sector has been known for a long time. However, implementing intersectoral health policies is difficult. The aim of this article is to study possibilities for strengthening the implementation of Health in All Policies (HiAP) approach. Methods: The article analyses earlier efforts in intersectoral health policy-making and adapts Kingdon’s theory on policy change for exploring opportunities and challenges for strengthening HiAP approach. Results: Opportunities for HiAP can be identified by analysing possibilities for amending health determinants on the one hand, and by analysing policy trends, proposals, and actors, especially in fields other than health, on the other. Four basic strategies for HiAP are identified, namely: health strategy, win–win strategy, cooperation strategy, and damage limitation strategy. Their strengths in various situations are explored. Using an adaptation of Kingdon’s framework, possibilities for creating opportunities for HiAP by raising health issues on the agenda, developing appropriate tools and by creating conducive momentums are discussed. Conclusions: It is concluded that systematic efforts of experts in public health, health policy, and international health are important in identifying and prioritising the needs for HiAP, in analysing health implications of policies and policy proposals and making these understood by the policy-makers, as well as in suggesting feasible solutions. Improving health literacy of the public, the policymakers, and the media is key for improved understanding on health implications of policies. Participatory and transparent approaches to policy-making are prerequisites for strengthening HiAP.
TL;DR: The aim of the supplement is to present a wide range of Danish registers and register-based research, which highlights that registerbased research in Denmark is widely distributed at various research institutions and that registers are fundamental data sources in health and healthrelated welfare research.
Abstract: Denmark and other Nordic countries have exceptional opportunities to perform register-based research, because of the unique personal identification number available to all persons with permanent residence [1]. This number makes it possible to link information at the individual level from several registers for investigation of various research questions. The unique personal identification number was introduced in Denmark in 1968, which enables follow-up of individuals for decades. This supplement of the Scandinavian Journal of Public Health presents public health and health-related registers and health-related welfare research based on Danish nationwide registers. The topics range from presentations of important registers, to introduction to the Danish legal foundations for register-based research, to short reviews of selected applications of registers for public health research. Linkage of the Danish registers is based on three base registers including identification numbers for persons, businesses, and real estates (Figure 1). All three base registers have linking keys to related registers and also to the other base registers. The linking keys are: the personal identification number (CPR-number) [1], the business identification number (SE/CVR-number) [2], and the building and housing identification number (BBR-number) [3]. The Civil Registration System contains the CPRnumber and includes references to parents and spouses, making it possible to establish the family unit. The Business Register contains the SE/CVRnumber of all businesses. The Building and Housing Register (BBR) contains the BBR-number, which identifies all unique housing unities. By the base registers it is possible to link persons, businesses and housing units. The aim of the supplement is to present a wide range of Danish registers and register-based research. We invited Danish key researchers performing register-based research to contribute to this supplement. Thus, this publication also highlights that registerbased research in Denmark is widely distributed at various research institutions and that registers are fundamental data sources in health and healthrelated welfare research. Twenty two institutes and departments at four Danish universities and 21 Danish administrative and research institutions contributed to the papers in this supplement. The supplement has three sections. The first section gives an overview of Danish registers, briefly introduces how to get access to data at Statistics Denmark and the legal foundation for register-based research. The section also presents an online database, which gives further information and an overview of the content of various Danish registers. This database also includes a search engine to help researchers to get more details on register contents. The second section includes presentations of important Danish registers on health and social factors. All papers have the same format, including four sections – in the Introduction section the background and rationale for establishing the register, the current purpose and historical pioneers are presented. In the Content section information on central variables in the register is provided and changes in variables and content, in reporting to the
TL;DR: Despite inherent limitations about internal and external validity, the Danish national registers have been extremely valuable to international psychiatric research and will continue to play an important role in years to come.
Abstract: Introduction: Denmark has been pioneering international psychiatric register research for decades. In this article we review central publications, by Danish and international authors, based on data from the Danish Psychiatric Central Research Register and other related registers. Research topics: Our aim was to describe the history, development and achievements of psychiatric research, based on the Danish national registers. The studies considered in this review can be categorized as follows: i) health service research, mainly studies on prevalence and incidence, ii) studies on the outcome of mental disorders, iii) studies on the aetiology of mental disorders. Conclusion: Studies based on Danish registers have provided significant contributions to international psychiatric research. The major advantage of the registers is that they cover the entire population, which makes the conduction of nationwide population-based studies possible. Furthermore, all information in the registers is connected to each citizen’s unique personal identification number, which enables linkage between various registers and biobanks. Such linkage studies have provided important knowledge on the aetiology of mental disorders. Despite inherent limitations about internal and external validity, the Danish national registers have been extremely valuable to international psychiatric research and will continue to play an important role in years to come.
TL;DR: Three Danish population-based registers aimed at providing data for surveying of reproductive outcome provide unique opportunities for undertaking detailed and comprehensive research in the field of reproduction.
Abstract: Introduction: The establishing of three Danish population-based registers, namely the Fertility Database, the Register of Legally Induced Abortions, and the In Vitro Fertilisation register, aimed at providing data for surveying of reproductive outcome. Content: The registers include information on births, abortions, and assisted reproduction as well as selected characteristics of the women (and men) involved. Validity and coverage: Both the validity and coverage of each register are considered of high quality. Conclusion: These registers provide, both individually and in combination, unique opportunities for undertaking detailed and comprehensive research in the field of reproduction.
TL;DR: Because twins have been identified independent of traits and on a population basis, the Danish Twin Registry is well suited for studies to understand the influence of genetic and environmental factors for a wide variety of diseases and traits.
Abstract: Introduction: The Danish Twin Registry is a unique source for studies of genetic, familial and environmental factors on life events, health conditions and diseases. Content: More than 85,000 twin pairs born 1870–2008 in Denmark. Validity and coverage: Four main ascertainment methods have been employed. Completeness of ascertainment varies according to birth cohorts. For birth cohorts 1870–1930 both twins should survive to age 6 years. From 1931–1968 72% of all twin pairs has been ascertained, with complete ascertainment of all live born twins since 1968. Conclusion: Because twins have been identified independent of traits and on a population basis, the Danish Twin Registry is well suited for studies to understand the influence of genetic and environmental factors for a wide variety of diseases and traits.
TL;DR: The database from DANHES 2007—2008 is unique in its size and diversity of measurements and questionnaire contents and forms the basis for future research projects with a focus on health behaviour and prevention of lifestyle-related diseases.
Abstract: Aims: The Danish Health Examination Survey (DANHES 2007—2008) was carried out by the National Institute of Public Health, University of Southern Denmark, in 13 Danish municipalities in 2007—2008. The focus of the survey was diet, smoking, alcohol, and physical activity. The aim of the survey was to establish a research database for future cross-sectional and follow-up studies. Methods: DANHES 2007—2008 included internet-based questionnaires and a health examination. There were two different questionnaires: a basic questionnaire on socio-demography, health behaviour, self-reported health status, and living conditions, and a supplementary food frequency questionnaire. The health examination contained measurements of blood pressure, resting heart rate, height, weight, fat percentage, waist and hip circumference, blood and hair samples, spirometry, bone mineral density, physical performance, muscle strength, and aerobic fitness. Results: A total of 76,484 people completed the basic questionnaire, and 18,065 a...
TL;DR: It is found that excess mortality among homeless men and women in Stockholm is entirely related to alcohol and drug abuse.
Abstract: Aim: To study the mortality and causes of death among homeless men and women in relation to the risk indicators, previous treatment for alcohol and drug abuse, previous treatment for mental disorders and non-Swedish citizenship. Methods: The mortality was studied in a cohort comprising 1,757 men and 526 women compared with the general population and persons with inpatient treatment for alcohol- and drug-related disorders. The follow-up period was from 1995 to 1997 until the end of 2005. The causes of death were analyzed. Results: 421 deaths occurred during the follow-up period. The relative risk of death was 3.1, with no difference in mortality between homeless men and homeless women. Previous treatment for alcohol and drug abuse disorders was related to excess mortality and previous treatment for mental disease to lower mortality. Homeless people with inpatient treatment for alcohol or drug use disorders had no higher mortality than the general population in Stockholm with a similar history. There was a dominance of alcohol- and drug-related causes of death. Discussion: Compared with previous studies of homeless people in Stockholm the excess mortality among men found in this study is of the same magnitude. Mortality among women is lower. The mortality rate in homeless people with previous treatment for an alcohol and illicit drug use disorder did not differ from those treated for these disorders in the general population. Conclusions: The most important finding is that excess mortality among homeless men and women in Stockholm is entirely related to alcohol and drug abuse.
TL;DR: The findings indicate that low cash margin and job insecurity may partially mediate the association between temporary employment and health status, and may have adverse effects on self-rated health and psychological health after adjustment for previous health status and sociodemographic variables.
Abstract: Aims: The aim of this study was to investigate whether temporary employment was related to non-optimal self-rated healthand psychological distress at age 42 after adjustment for the same indicators ...
TL;DR: This study suggests that urbanisation and its associated economic advancement as well as changes in dietary habits are among the most important determinants of overweight and obesity in Kenyan women.
Abstract: Aim: To assess the determinants of overweight and obesity in Kenyan women considered to be undergoing the nutrition transition. Methods: A nationally representative sample of women (n = 1008) was randomly drawn. Weight, height, waist, and hip circumference were measured. A 24-hour dietary recall was conducted with each participant and a socio-demographic questionnaire completed. Data was analysed by age, education, location, and socioeconomic status. Risk for obesity was calculated while adjusting for age and location. Results: Overweight and obesity (BMI ≥ 25 kg/m2) were highly prevalent in Kenya (43.3%). Urbanisation appears to be an important determinant of obesity since obesity was most prevalent in urban women in the high income group. Women in the high income group (7278 kJ) and in urban areas (7049 kJ) had the highest mean energy intakes. There were also significant urban/rural and income differences in the contribution of macronutrients to energy intake. Total fat intake was 34.5% of energy (E) in...
TL;DR: This paper dissects both the health and the education concepts, and puts them into the value system of health promotion of the Ottawa Charter using the core principles and values of HP, HL, and action competence in the light of the salutogenesis (SAL).
Abstract: Aim: The aim is to scrutinise the concept of health education (HE) and to broaden the concept of health literacy (HL) towards a lifelong healthy learning concept. HL is a broader concept than HE. This paper dissects both the health and the education concepts, and puts them into the value system of health promotion (HP) of the Ottawa Charter (OC) using the core principles and values of HP, HL, and action competence (AC) in the light of the salutogenesis (SAL). Conceptually the salutogenic model focuses on the direction towards the healthy end of the health continuum. The salutogenic theory, based on resources and comprehensibility, manageability, and meaningfulness, can be integrated into a learning model. People are seen as active and participating subjects shaping their lives through their AC. Method: a combination of an analysis of the values and intentions of health promotion according to the OC combined with the existing evidence on the salutogenic approach to health, stemming from a systematic research synthesis 1992–2003 and an ongoing analysis 2004–2009 by the authors. In addition, the views from a discussion with the participants of a session in the NHPR Conference 2009 are integrated. Results: The similarities and differences between the salutogenesis, the OC and healthy learning were shown in a graph. Integrating the salutogenesis in educational sciences further expands the concepts of HE and HL into healthy learning. Conclusions: The results of the discussions will further develop and strengthen the concept of healthy learning.
TL;DR: The rising MDI score indicates that MDD as well as mental health generally is of public health concern, and is more pronounced among women in their forties and in lower socioeconomic positions.
Abstract: Aim: Depression is the leading cause of disability and is projected to become the second highest burden of disease (measured in disability-adjusted life years) by 2020, but only a few studies have examined changes over time in the occurrence of depression. The aim of this study is to provide evidence to the hypothesis that the prevalence of depression is rising in the Danish population. We will do that in a longitudinal design among adult Danes by studying the trends from 2000 to 2006 of major depressive disorder (MDD) as well as the distribution across the whole Major Depression Inventory (MDI) scale. In addition, we will investigate whether the trend in MDD is similar across socioeconomic groups. Methods: A random sample of 4759 Danes in their forties and fifties were followed in a longitudinal study based on postal questionnaires answered in 2000 and 2006. Results: The prevalence of MDD increased from 2.0% to 4.9% during 2000–06. Also the distribution of the MDI score in its entirety moves higher up th...
TL;DR: Deliberate self-harm is common and more frequently reported by girls than boys, and psychological distress, experiences of different types of violence, and school-related factors should be considered risk factors for DSH in young people.
Abstract: Background: Deliberate self-harm (DSH) in young people is an important public health issue. To prevent DSH, more knowledge is needed about its prevalence and associated contextual factors in commun ...
TL;DR: The number of heavy drinkers in the Danish population and the number of people with harmful alcohol use is considerably higher than earlier prevalence estimates and theNumber of dependent drinkers is similar to earlier estimates.
Abstract: Aims: A) To qualify the existing estimates of the prevalence of heavy drinking, harmful alcohol use and alcohol dependency by applying adjustment for non-participation. B) To describe socio-demographic correlates of heavy drinkers. Methods: Data came from the Danish Health Interview Survey 2005, which included a personal interview of 14,566 individuals (response rate 66.7 %), and of 5,552 individuals who completed a self-administered questionnaire containing the Alcohol Use Disorder Test (AUDIT) (response rate 50.9%). Heavy drinkers were defined as consuming >14/21 drinks/week (women/men). Identification of harmful alcohol users and dependent drinkers was based on the score of specific AUDIT questions (harmful alcohol use a score of ≥4 in questions 7—10, dependent drinkers ≥4 in questions 4—6). Adjustment for non-participation was performed using data from the Danish National Patient Registry. Results: In the Danish population, 20% were heavy drinkers (862,876 persons 95% confidence interval (95% CI): 672...
TL;DR: Men are not hit more by the health consequences of unemployment in a Swedish context, with a high participation rate of women in the labour market, and the need to take gendered contexts into account in public health research is indicated.
Abstract: Aims: Research often fails to ascertain whether men and women are equally hit by the health consequences of unemployment. The aim of this study was to analyze whether men’s self-reported health and ...
TL;DR: No common Nordic political approach to public health exists and all programmes contain contradictory policies and ideological statements with differences regarding the emphasis on individual behaviour versus choice and living conditions and political responsibility.
Abstract: Aims:To identify characteristics of the public health policies of four Nordic countries concerning how they present the causes of ill health, the best ways to deal with these causes, and where to place responsibility; additionally, to investigate whether there is a common Nordic policyMethods:Analyses of recent public health programmes in Denmark, Finland, Norway, and SwedenResults:Focus is on either, or both, individual behaviour and living conditions as causes of ill health; the remedies are classical liberal as well as social democratic policies None of the programmes is consistent with either ideological strand; each has its peculiar combination of interpretations and policies The Danish programme is the most liberal focusing on behaviours and individual's choices; the Norwegian programme is the most social democratic or social liberal focusing mostly on the social and physical environment and the politicians' responsibility to improve the population's health The Swedish and the Finnish programmes lie between those of Denmark and Norway The Finnish and Norwegian governments stress their responsibility for the health of the populationConclusions:No common Nordic political approach to public health exists All programmes contain contradictory policies and ideological statements with differences regarding the emphasis on individual behaviour versus choice and living conditions and political responsibility The policies are not entirely predictable from the political stance of the government; national differences seem to play a role