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A matter of inequalilty: disparities in lifestyle, health and health care use in the Netherlands.

Droomers, M., Lindert, H. van, Westert, G.P. A matter of inequalilty: disparities in lifestyle, health and health care use in the Netherlands. European Journal of Public Health: 2004, 14(4 Suppl.), p. 65. Abstract. 12 th Annual EUPHA meeting: Urbanisation and health: new challenges in health promotion and prevention in Oslo, Norway, 7-9 october 2004.
Aim: To give an overview of differences in lifestyle, health and health care use according to
gender, age, socio-economic status, ethnicity, urbanisation, and work status. Methods: The second Dutch National Survey of General Practice was carried out in 2000 and 2001 and included patient registration in 104 GP practices, contact registration and an interview among a random selection from the listed patients. Results of the second National Study were compared to those of the first one from 1987. Results: Women report poorer health and more healthcare use than men, but generally have a healthier lifestyle. Although older people generally behave more healthily than younger people, the majority of illnesses are most prevalent among older persons. The health gap between older and younger people has decreased between 1987: older people reported better health in 2001; while the health of younger people declined. People with lower socio-economic status have comparatively poorer health and a less healthy lifestyle. Immigrant communities report poorer lifestyle and health, but have comparable healthcare use. There are significant differences among the immigrant groups. People living in urban areas generally have poorer health and a less healthy lifestyle. Health care use is generally higher in the large cities. The unemployed and occupationally disabled are clearly worse off healthwise. Compared to 1987, differences between these groups and employed people have increased tremendously. Conclusions: The results show that differences in lifestyle, health and health care use have not gone away. Indeed, the gap appears to
have widened insome cases. The people at a disadvantage tend to be the unemployed, the
occupationally disabled, the less well educated, ethnic minorities, women and city dwellers.
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