Catalogue of eight psychological and behavioural health risks and related disparities among 199 chronic conditions in Denmark

AIMS: This study provides an off-the-shelf catalogue of prevalence rates of eight health-related risk factors (self-perceived stress, loneliness, sleep quality, obesity/body mass index, smoking, physical exercise, alcohol consumption, and fruit intake) for 199 chronic conditions, disease groups and socioeconomic covariates in Denmark.

METHODS: The study population comprised a randomised sample of Danish residents aged 16 years and older (n=56,988). Data were derived from a linkage of three national health surveys (2010, 2013) and seven national health and sociodemographic registers. Means and prevalence rates, including sex and age-standardised estimates, were presented.

RESULTS: The most prevalent health risks were insufficient fruit intake (93.8%), most stressed quartile (20.5%), smoking daily (17.2%), physical inactivity (16.6%), obesity (15.0%), very bothered by sleep (9.7%), drinking more than recommended (8.7%), and 'often feels lonely' (5.5%). Chronic conditions with the highest mean numbers of health risks were mental disorders (disease group F; mean = 2.6), diseases of the digestive system (K; mean = 2.2), neurological diseases (G; mean = 2.1), musculoskeletal-related diseases (M; mean = 2.0), and respiratory-related diseases (J; mean = 1.9). In comparison, people without a chronic condition had a mean of 1.6 health risks. Marked socioeconomic disparities were also observed, with more risks among groups with lower education and income.

CONCLUSIONS: The nationally representative off-the-shelf catalogue provides essential information on eight common health risks across 199 chronic conditions and socioeconomic groups. The findings offer a resource for differentiated healthcare planning, prevention, and research.