The findings in the health profile are primarily based on data from this questionnaire.

Transcription

1 In January 2011 the second health profile of the Capital Region of Denmark was published. The health profile presents data on the health, sickness and health behaviour of the citizens of the Capital Region of Denmark in In this publication a selection of results from the health profile are presented in short form. Besides a number of demographic factors, various types of health behaviour, the general health status of the citizens and the occurrence of chronic diseases are presented. + 2

2 Background More than 30 % of the population of Denmark, corresponding to 1.7 million citizens, live in the Capital Region. The Region consists of 29 municipalities and covers an area of 2,561 km² or about 6 % of Denmark. In February 2010 a representative sample of the region s citizens aged 16 or above received a questionnaire. The questionnaire contained 80 questions about health behaviour, disease and symptom prevalence, social factors etc. Of the 95,150 citizens who received the questionnaire 52.3 % completed it. The findings in the health profile are primarily based on data from this questionnaire. 3 4

3 Municipality social groups A wide range of demographic and social factors affect the health and health behaviour of the population. The 29 municipalities are classified in municipality social groups to reflect the social resources of the municipalities. Municipalities in social group 1 (light purple) have the smallest proportion of citizens with a lower educational level, the smallest proportion of citizens outside the labour market and the highest average gross income per citizen. Municipalities in social group 4 (dark orange) have the largest proportion of citizens with a lower educational level, the largest proportion of citizens outside the labour market and the lowest average gross income per citizen. Between these two extremities are group 2 (dark purple) and group 3 (light orange). 5 6

4 Age 81 % of the adult citizens in the Capital Region are of working age (16-64 years old), while 19 %, corresponding to 255,700 people are 65 years or older. The age distribution for men and women are very similar. However, there are large variations across municipalities in the proportion of elderly citizens. The proportion of citizens aged 65 years or older ranges from 9 % - 28 %. Age is strongly associated with the development of chronic diseases. As such, age is important to account for when comparing morbidity rates across municipalities. 7 8

5 Smoking 20 % of the citizens smoke daily, corresponding to 259,700 people. The proportion of daily smokers decreases with increasing levels of education and employment. Since 2007 the proportion of daily smokers has decreased by 3.1 percentage points. Three out of four daily smokers want to quit smoking in % of the non-smokers, corresponding to 101,100 citizens are exposed to daily passive smoking. Since 2007 the proportion of non-smokers exposed to daily passive smoking has decreased by 5.2 percentage points. 46 %, corresponding to 604,800 citizens have never smoked, and the proportion of never-smokers is increasing among the younger age groups in the region. Since onset of smoking is rare after the age of 25 years, the proportion of daily smokers will presumably decrease in the future. 9 10

6 Alcohol The National Board of Health defines high risk alcohol consumption as a weekly intake of more than 14/21 units for women and men. 13 %, corresponding to 165,600 citizens have high risk alcohol consumption. High risk consumption is most common among men, young people and students. 15 %, corresponding to 194,500 citizens binge drink. Binge drinking is characterised by an intake of more than five alcoholic drinks on a single occasion at least once a week. Since 2007 the proportion of binge drinkers has decreased by 3.1 percentage points. 17 %, corresponding to 228,400 citizens, show signs of alcohol dependence in both 2007 and Showing signs of alcohol dependence was determined using the CAGE-C test. Persons who have high risk consumption of alcohol, binge drink or show signs of alcohol dependence are characterised as having risky alcohol behaviour. 28 %, corresponding to 358,400 citizens, have risky alcohol behaviour. Only a fourth of these want to reduce their alcohol consumption

7 Diet Among the 10 % of citizens who have the unhealthiest diet, the majority consists of men, people with a lower educational level and people of working age who are outside the labour market. These citizens have a low intake of fruit and vegetables, a high intake of fat and rarely eat fish. More than half of those who have a very unhealthy diet want to eat healthier. 17 %, corresponding to 227,700 citizens eat fast food at least once a week, while 10 %, corresponding to 132,100 citizens drink soft drinks at least five times a week. Since 2007, the proportion of people who drink soft drinks at least five times a week has decreased by 4.7 percentage points

8 Physical activity The National Board of Health recommends at least 30 minutes of moderate- to high intensity physical activity daily. 31 % of the citizens, corresponding to 405,500 people are not physically active 30 minutes a day in their leisure time at a moderate- to high intensity level. Physical inactivity is most common among people with a lower educational level and people of working age who are outside the labour market. Moreover, physical inactivity increases with age. Since 2007, the proportion of physically inactive citizens has decreased by 3.1 percentage points. Nearly three out of four physically inactive citizens want to be more active. 27 %, corresponding to 348,200 citizens, are sedentary more than four hours a day in their leisure time - an increase of 3.2 percentage points since %, corresponding to 392,700 citizens, are sedentary more than six hours a day at work - an increase of 2.8 percentage points since

9 Overweight/obesity Among the citizens 30 % are overweight (BMI 25 - <30), corresponding to 402,700 people. Being overweight is most common among men, year old people, people in cohabiting households, people with a lower educational level and people of working age who are outside the labour market. 11 %, corresponding to 152,300 people are obese (BMI 30). Obesity is most common among people with a lower educational level and people of working age who are outside the labour market. The proportion of overweight citizens in the Capital Region is the same in 2010 as it was in

10 Self-rated health Poor self-rated health is an independent risk factor for morbidity and mortality. Half of the citizens in the Capital Region rate their health as excellent or very good health, while 15 %, corresponding to 192,800 citizens, rate their health as poor. The proportion of citizens with poor self-rated health increases with age and is greater among people with a lower educational level and people of working age who are outside the labour market. The proportion of citizens with poor self-rated health is the same in 2010 as it was in

11 Stress Stress can be described as a bodily reaction to a physical or mental impact or overload that is difficult to cope with. Prolonged stress can lead to increased risk of certain diseases, e.g. cardiovascular disease and depression. Moreover stress can cause deterioration of existing diseases. Among the 20 % of the citizens who have the highest stress level, the majority are women, single people, people aged 80 years or older, people with non-western background, people with a lower educational level and people of working age who are outside the labour market. Since 2007 the proportion of citizens with a high stress level has increased by 2.6 percentage points

12 Chronic disease Among citizens aged 16 or above 57 %, corresponding to 746,300 people live with at least one chronic disease, while 12 %, corresponding to 155,000 citizens live with three chronic diseases or more. Allergy is the most common chronic disease among all citizens, while osteoarthritis is the most common chronic disease among citizens aged 65 or older. Having three chronic diseases or more is most common among women, people aged 55 years or older, people with a lower educational level and people of working age who are outside the labour market. There is a great potential for prevention among people with chronic diseases, since a larger proportion have poor health behaviour, compared with people without chronic diseases. Citizens with chronic diseases are generally motivated to change their smoking, diet and physical activity habits, whereas their motivation to change alcohol drinking habits is significantly smaller

13 Diabetes 4.5 %, corresponding to 58,400 citizens have diabetes. Diabetes is most common among men, people with a lower educational level, people of working age who are outside the labour market and people with a non-western background. Moreover, the proportion of people with diabetes increases with age. It is estimated that only half of the people who have diabetes have been diagnosed. Among people with diabetes the majority are motivated to eat healthier, exercise more or lose weight

14 COPD COPD is a chronic lung disease most often caused by smoking. 4.3 % of the citizens, corresponding to 55,800 people live with COPD. The proportion of people with COPD increases with age and is greater among people with a lower educational level and people of working age who are outside the labour market. A large proportion of citizens living with COPD have poor health behaviour in relation to smoking, alcohol consumption, physical activity and diet - e.g. 44 % smoke daily. Three out of four people with COPD who smoke daily want to quit smoking, and many would like help to do so. Download the health profile of the Capital Region 2010 at Published by Research Centre for Prevention and Health, The Capital Region of Denmark If you have any questions please contact: Project leader, Kirstine Magtengaard Robinson Krob0003@regionh.dk Research leader, Charlotte Glümer Chgl@regionh.dk 27 28

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