Trends in health expectancy in Denmark, 1987-1994

To estimate health expectancy in Denmark and evaluate changes during the period 1987-1994.

Life-table figures from vital statistics combined with prevalence data of population health status derived from the Danish Health Interview Surveys carried out in 1987, 1991, and 1994.

The Danish population aged 16 years and over.

Health expectancy calculated by Sullivan's method combining mortality and morbidity into a single indicator. This indicator estimates the average lifetime in good health. Relating health expectancy to life expectancy gives a measure of the proportion of lifetime in good health.

Although life expectancy has remained stable since the beginning of the 1980s health expectancy has changed slightly over the period 1987-1994, with a positive trend for men but a negative one for women.

The results underline the concern about the health of Danish women expressed in recent years. Health expectancy could be increased by successful prevention of musculo-skeletal diseases, which account for the highest proportion of lifetime with long-standing illness.