Social differences in Oslo affect health and life expectancy

Diet, smoking, lack of physical activity and alcohol are all areas that affect social inequality.These are also areas that influence people's health and life expectancy.

There are significant differences in Norwegians' health and life expectancy based on where people live and which social class they belong to. 

Norwegians live longer than before, but Norway is not at the top of list of countries in the world with the highest life expectancy.

In 2013 the life expectancy for women was 83,6 years, and 79,9 for men. The goal is for Norway to be among the top three countries in the world with the highest life expectancy, but this has not yet ben achieved. The last ranking, from 2009, showed than Norwegian men and women were in 12th and 9th place, respectively. 

The geographical differences in life expectancy are especially visible in the country's largest cities. Oslo has seen a considerable increase in life expectancy, but there are considerable differences between the different districts. 

Life expectancy is higher in the districts in Oslo west where the level of education and income are also higher. People in high-status group aslo smoke less, exercise more, eat healthier and live longer. 

Director of the Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Camilla Stoltenberg, says that they will continue to work on reducing the social differences related to health and life expectancy. She says that the work will be done both internationally through the World Health Organization, and nationally through cooperation with municipalities, non-profit organizations, businesses and open debates. 

(Aftenposten)