Regional equity in childhood health - register-based follow-up of the Finnish 1987 birth cohort

Our objective was to investigate regional health differences among Finnish children using a population-based Longitudinal register data. All live birt hs born in 1987 were included in the study (N = 59,546) and followed-up unt il the age of seven years. Statistically significant regional variation was found for all health indicators but diabetes. Background variables, such a s maternal age and social class, explained only the difference in mortality . Various indicators gave different geographical patterns. Regional equity in childhood health has not been achieved in Finland. Existing health regis ters were feasible in studying regional variation in health, but a set of c omprehensive morbidity indicators - preferably derived from different data sources - should be developed to monitor equity in health. (C) 2000 Elsevie r Science Ltd. Ail rights reserved.