Socioeconomic differences in health expectancy in Denmark

Abstract

Background: Social differences in mortality rates reported in Denmark gave rise to the present study of health expectancy in different socioeconomic groups.

Methods: Data on health status and occupation were derived from Health Interview Surveys. Information on occupation and deaths is register data. Health expectancy in each socioeconomic group was calculated using Sullivan's method.

Results: Among 30-year-old men, high-level salaried employees had the longest expected lifetime in perceived good health, 41 years, which amounts to 89% of life expectancy, compared to 34 years (73%) for farmers, 32 years (73%) for unskilled workers, and 19 years (56%) for economically inactive men. Expected lifetime in perceived good health for high-level salaried female employees from age 30 was 46 years (91% of life expectancy). The lowest was found for assisting spouses, 36 years (71%) and economically inactive women, 25 years (56%). Large differences were also found when data on long-standing illness were used.

Conclusion: The differences between socioeconomic groups are greater for health expectancy than for life expectancy.