Short communication: Improving health statistics in the context of measuring quality of life in cities and urban regions

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Gissler, Mika^;

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: mika.gissler@thl.fi

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

DOI: 10.3233/SJI-150870

Journal: Statistical Journal of the IAOS, vol. 31, no. 1, pp. 97-98, 2015