Affiliation:
1. Korsholms hälsovårdscentral, Finland
2. Yrkeshögskolan Novia, Finland
Abstract
Background The aging population is a challenge for the health care in Finland. Disease prevention and health promotion improves the quality of life for the elderly and reduces health-care costs. Knowledge about the health of the elderly is crucial in order for improvements to be carried out. Aim The aim of this study was to describe disease prevalence and self-rated health among 65-, 70-, 75- and 80-year-old women and men in three municipalities in Ostrobothnia, Finland. Method Altogether 502 persons, out of which 274 were women, participated in the present research. The participants completed a form comprising 75 questions. Data were analysed by means of descriptive and comparative statistics. Findings The results showed that the most common national disease was hypertension, followed by cancer and diabetes. Stroke and myocardial infarction were the least frequent among the participants. Nevertheless, the majority of older people felt that their health was good. However, women stated more frequently than men that they were subject to a group named ‘other diseases’ than men, and they feared more so than men that something might happen to them. A tenth of the population felt the emptiness of life. Conclusions The results indicate that there are no gender differences in the most common national diseases but women suffer more from ‘other diseases’ and from fear although the majority of the population were satisfied with their health.