Netherlands: Moroccans suffer least from cancer, heart disease; Turks the most

Netherlands: Moroccans suffer least from cancer, heart disease; Turks the most



Moroccans were admitted in 2008 to hosptails for cancer, heart and vascula diseases the least, compared with other ethnic groups. Turks were admitted the most for heart and vascual diseases, followed by the Surinamese.


For the general population under 60, 12.2 people per thousand were admitted to hospitals in 2008 for cancer and benign tumors. Since the number of hospital admissions depends on sex and age and the age distribution of the various ethnic groups is not the same, this was corrected for.


After correcting for difference in age structure, the number of hospital admissions of Moroccans for new tumors in 2008 was lower by a third than for the general population.


Women were admitted more often than men for new tumors in all ethnic groups, mostly due to admissions for breast cancer and non-malignant cervical cancer. Th difference between the ethnic groups have stayed pretty much constant through the years.


The total admissions for heart and vascular diseases among Turks were about 40% higher than the total population. Surinamese were also admitted to more often than average.


Both Turkish men and women were admitted to hospital more often. Among the Surinamese, mostly the men were admitted more often.


Turks and Surinamese were admitted more often for heart infarctions, other ischemic heart diseases and angina pectoris. Turkish women were admitted more often for conduction and heart rhythm disorders.

Since 1995, the number of admissions for heart and vascular diseases among Turks and Surinamese were at the same level, and higher than for other ethnic groups. Moroccans were admitted the least for heart and vascular diseases. In the period 1995-2008 they were admitted 40% less often than Turks and Surinamese.


Source: CBS (Dutch)