Theme -

Key figures:

3 out of 10 claim to have health problems that affect their everyday life

1 out of 4 have a musculo-skeletal illness

10-15 per cent have mental health problems

1 out of 8 have been admitted to hospital in the last year

1 out of 10 persons of a working age receive disability pension

21 per cent of 16-74 year-olds smoke daily (2008)

2 out of 5 die of cardiovascular diseases

Explanation of terms

BMI - Body Mass Index is an indicator of body fat. The measurement does not distinguish between fat and muscle tissue. BMI is calculated as weight divided by height times height.
Example: 70 / (1.80 x 1.80) = 21.6
Age-adjusted rates - In order to be able to compare the incidence of illness and mortality in groups (populations) with different age distributions, adjustments need to be made for age. The age-adjusted rate (proportion) is based on an assumption that the population in all groups (e.g. regions) has the same relative age distribution

Health

Life expectancy in Norway is among the highest in the world, and is still increasing. The life expectancy of men was 71 in 1970 and 78,2 in 2007, and for women the corresponding figures increased from 77 to 82,7 during the same period. This is related to the reduced mortality from cardiovascular diseases over many years. Low infant mortality has also contributed to a favourable mortality development.

More than half of all adults have an illness or injury. Despite illness, infirmities and function problems, 8 out of 10 claim to be in good health. Since the mid 1980s, the number of elderly with function problems has fallen, and the health of middle-aged men has improved. The spreading of a number of illnesses is increasing. This mainly applies to musculo skeletal complaints, some types of cancer, and psychological conditions, particularly amongst the young. These illnesses are some of the main causes of employees' sickness absence and disability pension.

The number of hospital stays increased in the 1990s and continues to do so. The elderly account for almost a third of all hospital admissions in Norwegian hospitals, with women being in the majority. Apart from pregnancy and birth, men are more frequent users of hospital services than women. In addition to pregnancy, birth and periods of confinement, cardiovascular diseases, tumours and injuries are the most common reasons for hospital stays.