medborger_i_danmark_engelsk.pdf - Ny i Danmark

The Danish health service109Treatment andpreventionLife-style relateddiseasesImpaired quality of lifeand major health costsThe Danish National Health Serviceplaces equal emphasis on prevention andtreatment of disease. Prevention aims –for example, through information abouthealthy lifestyle – to reduce the risk ofcontracting disease. Treatment seeks torestore health and relieve pain in sick orinjured people.Some of the most common diseases inDenmark are cancer, diabetes, cardiovasculardiseases and other life-stylerelated conditions. The factors causingthese diseases include obesity, smoking,too much alcohol and too little exercise.These diseases reduce the quality of life ofmany people and cost the Danish NationalHealth Service billions of Danish kronerannually. Therefore, the authorities givehigh priority to both disease preventionand the promotion of good health. Peopleare encouraged to eat more vegetablesand less fat, smoke less, drink less alcoholand to exercise more.An open dialogue is importantTo many people, sickness and health are sensitive and personalsubjects, associated with strong traditions. Misunderstandings andconflicts therefore easily arise in the meeting of different cultures’perception of health, illness and health care practises, especially iflanguage difficulties are also involved.It is difficult to express your wishes and expectations in a foreignlanguage, and it can be difficult for the Danish health care professionalsto give you adequate information on a course of treatmentor about your rights and obligations as a patient.It is therefore important that you inform the staff about your wishesand expectations regarding your treatment programme or diet. Forthe sake of the other patients and the sanitary conditions, it isimportant to be sympathetic to the way the staff go about their workand to comply with their requests.HEALTH AND SICKNESS