ABSTRACT
This chapter addresses the results of the second Dutch National Survey of General Practice (DNSGP-2) with regard to differences in health and lifestyle according to age, socio-economic status, and working status. It presents an updated profile of the existing disparities in health and lifestyle in the population of the Netherlands. The DNSGP-2 results indicate that an unhealthy lifestyle is reported mostly by men, youngsters, lower educated persons, immigrants, the unemployed or occupationally disabled, and urban dwellers. Occupationally disabled people score the lowest on all health indicators included in the DNSGP-2, such as perceived health, acute complaints and diseases, chronic conditions, limitations and mental health. The poorer health of the occupationally disabled is confirmed in a number of other studies. Those who are unemployed or have been certified unfit to work report a comparatively less healthy lifestyle. The unemployed and occupationally disabled report poorer health than those in paid employment.
