Affiliations: Information Department, THL National Institute for
Health and Welfare, P.O. BOX 30, 00271 Helsinki, Finland | NHV Nordic School of Public Health, P.O. BOX 12133,
40242 Gothenburg, Sweden. Tel.: +358 29 524 7279; E-mail:
[email protected]
Abstract: Health statistics on urban areas require a specific approach. Health
data are to be taken from various sources, for ex- ample from vital
registration, health service utilisation records and surveys. Problems related
to sampling as well as on inclusion and exclusion criteria challenge the
collection of survey data on health, well-being and quality of life. Rural and
urban area may have different share of institutionalised population, migrants
and ethnic majorities, which may affect the results. Reporting bias is assumed
to be similar in urban and rural areas. Data from surveys may not be available
or may not be released due to limited coverage of a single municipal and data
protection rules. Budget cuts in official statistics and falling participation
rates affect all surveys. International collaboration is required to harmonise
the survey methods and questionnaires on self-assessed health, well-being and
quality of life in order to ensure comparability.
Keywords: Health interview survey (HIS), National Health Information System (NHIS), quality of life, urban statistics