Medical Demography in the Netherlands: Recent Advances, Future Challenges

Abstract

This chapter provides an overview of medical demographic research conducted in the Netherlands during the 1990’s.The methods and principal findings are discussed of studies on: (a) past trends in mortality, (b) current mortality differentials, (c) future trends in mortality, (d) future trends in morbidity, and (e) the consequences of these trends for health care demand, costs and financing. Compared with the late 1980’s, significant advances have been made in all these fields of research. Studies that combined advanced data acquisition with multivariate statistical techniques have succeeded to move from description to explanation of mortality trends or differentials. Studies that applied sophisticated population-based models have greatly improved the projection of future trends in mortality and morbidity. Many of these studies have important implications for health policies, including preventive policies and the administration of health care services. There are several ways in which future medical demographic research can continue to enhance our understanding of mortality and morbidity, and thus contribute to health policies.