Distance to green space and physical activity: a Danish national representative survey.

BACKGROUND: This study examines the relationship between distance to green space and the level of physical activity among the population of Denmark. In addition, the relationship between distance to green space and obesity is investigated. METHODS: Data derived from the Danish National Health Interview Survey 2005, a cross-sectional survey based on a region-stratified random nationally representative sample of 21,832 Danish adults. All data are self-reported. RESULTS: Respondents living more than 1 km from green space had lower odds of using green space to exercise and keep in shape compared with persons living closer than 300 m to green space (OR: 0.71; 95% CI: 0.60-0.83). A relationship between moderate/vigorous physical activity during leisure time and distance to green space can also be found. Persons living more than 1 km from green space had higher odds of being obese (BMI ≥ 30) than those living less than 300 m from green space (OR: 1.36; 95% CI: 1.08-1.71). CONCLUSIONS: Self-reported distance to green space is related to self-reported physical activity and obesity. To exercise and keep in shape is an important reason for visiting green space, and distance to green space is associated with moderate/vigorous physical activity in leisure time.

Health promoting outdoor environments--associations between green space, and health, health-related quality of life and stress based on a Danish national representative survey.

AIMS: To investigate the associations between green space and health, health-related quality of life and stress, respectively. METHODS: Data were derived from the 2005 Danish Health Interview Survey and are based on a region-stratified random sample of 21,832 adults. Data were collected via face-to-face interviews followed by a self-administered questionnaire, including the SF-36, which measures eight dimensions of health and the Perceived Stress Scale, which measures self-reported stress. A total of 11,238 respondents completed the interview and returned the questionnaire. Multiple logistic regression analyses were performed to investigate the association between distance to green space and self-perceived stress. RESULTS: Danes living more than 1 km away from the nearest green space report poorer health and health-related quality of life, i.e. lower mean scores on all eight SF-36 dimensions of health than respondents living closer. Respondents living more than 1 km away from a green space have 1.42 higher odds of experiencing stress than do respondents living less than 300 m from a green space. Respondents not reporting stress are more likely to visit a green space than are respondents reporting stress. Reasons for visiting green spaces differ significantly depending on whether or not respondents experience stress. Respondents reporting stress are likely to use green spaces to reduce stress. CONCLUSIONS: An association between distance to a green space and health and health-related quality of life was found. Further, the results indicate awareness among Danes that green spaces may be of importance in managing stress and that green spaces may play an important role as health-promoting environments.

Review of 345 eye amputations carried out in the period 1996-2003, at Rigshospitalet, Denmark.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to identify the number of eye amputations, and the causative diagnoses, indications for surgery and surgical techniques applied, and to evaluate a possible change in surgical technique in a tertiary referral centre in Denmark. METHODS: The hospital database was screened using surgery codes for patients who had undergone bulbar evisceration, enucleation or orbital exenteration in the period 1996-2003. Patient records were reviewed for gender, age, time since surgery, causative diagnosis (the disease process leading to the indication for amputation), indication for eye amputation, type of surgery and whether an implant was applied. RESULTS: A total of 345 patients were identified as having undergone eye amputation during the 8-year period. Indications for eye amputation were: painful blind eye (127); neoplasm (119); infection (42); recent injury (25); disfiguring blind eye (25); prevention of sympathetic ophthalmia (5), and other reasons (2). Surgical procedures included 174 eviscerations, 154 enucleations and 17 orbital exenterations. The mean number of surgeries per year was 43.1. An orbital implant was applied in 168 patients. CONCLUSIONS: The most frequent indications for eye amputation were painful blind eye (37%) and neoplasm (34%). During the study period, the annual number of eye amputations was stable, but an increase in bulbar eviscerations was noticed. Orbital implants were used in 33% of patients in 1996 and 67% in 2003.

Sexual desire in a nationally representative Danish population.

INTRODUCTION: There are only a few studies on the frequency of sexual desire in the general population, whereas studies investigating the frequency of disordered sexual desire are more common. AIM: The aim of this study was to describe the frequency of sexual desire in a representative sample of the adult Danish population and to analyze the relationships between a number of relevant variables and sexual desire. METHODS: The study population (N = 10,458, response rate 84.8%) answered a questionnaire with questions on sexual matters. The representativity of the population was examined. The frequency of self-reported sexual desire and decrease in sexual desire over a 5-year period was calculated for the two genders across age cohorts. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to analyze the relationship between potential determinants and sexual desire. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The frequency of self-reported sexual desire and decrease in sexual desire was examined. Factors of importance for sexual desire were tested using two outcome measures: (i) often having sexual desire; and (ii) seldom having sexual desire. RESULTS: A significant association between gender and sexual desire was found in all age groups, as men had a significantly higher level of sexual desire than women. In both genders, the frequency of sexual desire was significantly reduced with increasing age. Among the 45- to 66-year-olds, 57% of the men and 47% of the women reported no change in the level of sexual desire over the past 5 years. In general terms, factors related to seldom having sexual desire were age and social, psychological, and physical distress in both genders. CONCLUSION: This study shows that overall, men have a higher level of sexual desire than women; sexual desire decreases with increasing age; and social, psychological, or physical distress are associated with low level of sexual desire in both genders.

[More recent measures for a nation's state of health--a review]. / Nyere mål for en nations sundhedstilstand--en oversigt.

The objective of this article was to give a conceptual survey of old and new measures for a nation's state of health with special focus on new measures seeking to combine mortality with morbidity, functional, and quality of life dimensions. Internationally, the development has given rise to two different movements. One (represented by Denmark and the rest of the EU) aims to develop a large number of standardized indicators, whereas the other (represented by the WHO and the World Bank) builds on the idea that it must be possible to combine the many indicators into a single summary measure for a nation's state of health. In the summary measures, distinction is made between health expectancy and health gap measures. Attention is given to reviewing DALY (disability-adjusted life years), disability weighting, and the social value choices applied in WHO's World Health Report 2000.

[The scientific committee system]. / Det videnskabsetiske komitésystem.

Since 1992 a law based national system of Scientific Ethical Committees has existed. It consists of regional committees supplemented with a Central Committee. The Danish model is characterised by having a majority of lay people in all committees. The law is based on the principle of informed consent. A new law in 2003 will implement the EU directive on Good Clinical Practice. A maximum time of 60 days for the approval of biomedical research projects and approval of multi-centre trials at only one scientific ethical committee will be introduced.

Summary measures of population health. An overview.

The objective of the paper is to give a conceptual overview of old and new measures of a nation's state of health with special focus on new measures seeking to combine mortality with morbidity, functional and quality of life dimensions. Internationally, the development has given rise to two different movements. One (in Denmark and the EU) aims to develop a large number of standardised indicators, while the other (the WHO and the World Bank) builds on the idea that it must be possible to combine the many indicators into a single summary measure of a nation's state of health. In the summary measures, distinction is made between health expectancies and health gap measures. Attention is given to reviewing DALY (disability-adjusted life years), disability weights, and the social value choices applied in WHO's World Health Report 2000.