The general standard of health of the Norwegian population is good across the board.
Life expectancy has increased at a steady pace over the last 20 years, with women currently expected to reach an average age of 81.4, and men an age of 76. Over the last century, the average life expectancy in Norway has increased by 27 years as a result of improved hygiene, vaccination programmes and better access to medication. Groups with higher social status tend to live longer than others, and socio-economic variations in health have increased in Norway during the last thirty years.
The overall mortality rate lies at 10.4 per 1000 inhabitants. Cardiovascular disease is the cause of nearly half of all deaths, followed by cancer, pulmonary disease and various types of accidents.
Edited from Aschehoug and Gyldendal's Norwegian Encyclopedia / Ole B. Hovind