Indicators for health inequality in the Nordic countries

Social inequalities apply to almost all diseases, injuries and ailments. It is therefore important for the authorities to monitor social inequalities. Indicators are vital both to set a baseline for work alleviating inequalities and to formulate policies that will improve public health for all groups.

The identified indicators are based on data collected regularly in international data sources and the list includes indicators on both health outcomes and impact factors:

• Life expectancy at age 30 years, by education
• At risk of poverty or social exclusion in the age group 25-59 years, by education
• Self-assessed health in the age group 25-64 years, by education
• Smoking in the age group 25-64 years, by education
• Daily intake of vegetables in the age group 25-64 years, by education
• Physical activity at 15 years of age, according to Family Affluence Scale
• Gini coefficient on income equality