Trends in educational inequality in healthy life expectancy in Denmark between 2010 and 2021: a population-based study

Objectives
For several decades, mortality has decreased more rapidly among individuals with a higher socioeconomic position than among those with a lower position. This widening social inequality gap has increasingly been recognised as an important aspect of public health research and policies. The objective of this study was to examine trends in educational inequality in healthy life expectancy (HLE) in Denmark between 2010 and 2021 at the age of 30 years.

Design
The study is a population-based study based on register data on longest attained education, standard life tables and self-reported health information from nationwide health surveys.

Setting
The study is conducted among the general adult population in Denmark.

Participants
Participants include respondents from the Danish National Health Survey and the Danish Health and Morbidity Survey in 2010, 2013, 2017 and 2021 aged ≥30 years.

Primary and secondary outcome measures
Expected lifetime in good self-rated health, with no long-standing illness and with no activity limitations was estimated by Sullivan’s method, and educational inequality was expressed by the Slope Index of Inequality.

Results
Between 2010 and 2021, educational inequality in HLE increased among both men and women for long-standing illness (5-year trend: +1.1 and +1.2 years) and activity limitations (+2.4 and +2.6 years) but remained stable among men (+0.1 year) and decreased among women (–0.3 year) for self-rated health. For the latter two indicators, the inequality gap narrowed after 2017.

Conclusion
Trends in educational inequality in HLE in Denmark 2010–2021 vary by health indicator. Steadily widening gaps were demonstrated for long-standing illness, while narrowing gaps were seen after 2017 for activity limitations and self-rated health. Future studies are encouraged to explore potential health risk behaviours that may explain or modify these inequality trends.

Leggi
Luglio 2025

Trends and regional disparities in the global burden of disease attributable to household air pollution in 204 countries and territories, 1990-2021: an analysis of the global burden of disease study

Objectives
We aimed to analyse the disease burden and trends related to household air pollution (HAP) from 1990 to 2021 and to assess the correlation between development status and HAP burden using the Sociodemographic Index (SDI).

Design
Observational study using data from the global burden of disease (GBD) 2021.

Main outcomes and measures
The GBD results tool provided comprehensive data on disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) attributable to HAP, stratified by age, sex, year, and geographical location.

Results
A significant reduction of approximately 50% in global HAP-related DALYs was observed between 1990 and 2021. However, a minor increase in HAP-related DALYs was noted between 2020 and 2021. The highest burden was found in children under five. Males generally had higher DALY rates than females. A negative correlation was identified between SDI and HAP-related DALY rates, with the highest rate in Oceania and the lowest in high-income North America. Maternal and neonatal disorders, cardiovascular diseases, respiratory infections and tuberculosis, and chronic respiratory diseases were the leading causes of HAP-related DALYs.

Conclusion
The study highlighted the progress in reducing the global burden of HAP-related diseases, yet it also revealed persistent disparities that require targeted public health interventions. Continued efforts to promote cleaner energy solutions and address regional, age and gender-specific vulnerabilities are essential for further reducing the health impact of HAP. Future research should focus on understanding the contributing factors to these disparities and developing innovative mitigation strategies.

Leggi
Giugno 2025