Prospects for socio-demographic risk research in Denmark

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Thygesen, Lars¹

Note: [1] Lars Thygesen was born in 1945. He obtained a Masters Degree in economics and statistics in 1970 and has been employed in Danmarks Statistik since then. In 1979, he was appointed Chief of the register administration with responsibility for data policy and development of register-based statistics. Since 1987 he has been Director with responsibility for social and demographic statistics.

Abstract: In Denmark, official statistics on persons are based almost exclusively on administrative registers. The data base for the statistics contains longitudinal data on many socio-demographic variables for each citizen. This seems to make it possible to solve some of the problems connected with current socio-demographic risk research, e.g. in social medicine. However, there seems to be a lack of appropriate methods to make use of the new data opportunities. Multivariate statistical models should obviously be employed. But it is necessary to introcude a number of assumptions, implying an oversimplification of the real world. Will it still be possible to gain new knowledge on society by using these methods? It is believed that the new studies can be carried out and lead to useful results. Danmarks Statistik intends to initiate the studies.

DOI: 10.3233/SJU-1989-6101

Journal: Statistical Journal of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe, vol. 6, no. 1, pp. 1-15, 1989