Health, care and social relations, survey on living conditions, 2005

The elderly of today are more fit than ever. It has, however, been an increase in mental health problems among young women. They are also seeking professional help for their problems.

Psychiatric ward has been a health political focal point for some time. The survey of level of living 2005 shows that one in ten have mental difficulties. This percentage has been stable since the survey in 2002 and 1998. Figures for age and sex show that there has been a reduction in mental health problems for both women and men in most age groups. There has, however, been an increase in young women with problems. Figure 2 shows the distribution of mean score on an index for psychiatric difficulties (see box about HSCL) for women between 16 and 24 years of age. The distribution shows that more young women have higher mean scores on the index in 2005 than 2002. Higher scores indicate more serious difficulties.

More women under 45 years of age have consulted a psychologist the past year in 2005 compared to 1998. In 1998 4 per cent of young women had consulted a psychologist. The percentage has increased to 7 per cent in 2005. The percentage for young men at the same age was 2 per cent. This percentage is unchanged since 1998. The number of consultations with a psychologist has also increased in the same period. Mean figures show an increase from 53 to 84 consultations per 100 women (16-24 years) from 1998 to 2005. For young men there has been an increase in consultations from 1998 to 2002. In 2005 the number has gone down again. In 2005 there were 29 consultations per 100 men (16-24 years). A rise in consultations can, however, be an effect of more available services and increased resources in the sector in the same period.

The level of living survey shows that four in five evaluates own health as good. Health, as it is captured in population surveys, changes slowly. The distribution of answers to the question “How is your health in general. Would you say it is very good, good, neither good nor poor, poor, very poor” has remained stable since the mid nineties. About 6 per cent says that their health is poor or very poor -.12 per cent of elderly and 1 per cent of youngsters. There is, however, a large proportion that has a long term disease, injury or disability. 58 per cent of the grown up population living in private homes have a long term health problem. A high percentage shows probably that having a chronic health problem of some kind is more common that having none.

... but one in ten has considerable health problems

Disease, injury and disability that are registered in the survey are evaluated in relation to how the interview persons experience the health problem and whether they have consequences in every day life, or set restrictions on what they are able to do. One third of the population has health problems that influence on their daily activities. 11 per cent has health problems that set high restrictions on what they can do. The percentage has been stable from 1998 to 2005. The percentage is highest in the oldest age group (28 per cent) and lowest in the youngest age group (5 per cent).

A more equal age profile for some diseases

The prevalence of most long term diseases increase with age. This involves cardiovascular diseases, diseases in the musculo/skeletal system and digestive and eye/ear diseases. However, it seems that some diseases over time have become as common among young people as elderly people. This concerns primarily diseases in the respiratory system, nervous system and skin diseases. Nervous diseases like anxiety, depression or nervousness are reported just as often by young as by elderly people in 2005.

The trend is continuing – elderly is getting more fit

Elderly people seem to get fitter despite illness and health problems. This is a good signal considered the announced wave of elderly and future need for care. The survey shows that relatively fewer have difficulties with activity and participation today compared to reported difficulties in earlier surveys. The reduction is greatest for older men above 66 years of age. Fewer people have problems with getting out of own dwelling. A reduction from 19 per cent in 1998 to 12 per cent in 2005. A lower percentage has problems using public transport. While the percentage having problems was 19 per cent in 1998 it is reduced to 14 per cent in 2005. This must be seen in relation with better living conditions when the elderly of today grew up compared to older generations. Increased availability in society that has also improved the situation for elderly and disabled people.

 Statistics Norway’s survey of level of living concerning health, care and social relations (Health Interview Survey) is a stable and regular source to data about different aspects of the population’s health. It runs every three years. The data is representative for the population living in private homes. Every survey gives a picture of the population’s health on a given point in time. The regularity of the survey supplies data so that we are able to follow changes over time. The survey covers data on self-rated health, illness, disability, living habits and utility of health services. The information that is gathered is based on personal interviews with approximately 7 000 individuals.