Decline in the Incidence of Schizophrenia in Finnish Cohorts Born From 1954 to 1965

Abstract
RECENT RESEARCH suggests that the incidence of schizophrenia may be declining. Falls in incidence,1,2 morbid risk,3,4 and first-admission rate5-12 have been reported from Australia,8 Denmark,4-6 England and Wales,1,12,13 Italy,2 Ireland,3 New Zealand,7 and Scotland.9-11 However, first-admission rate has not decreased in Croatia,14 the Netherlands,15 and parts of England.16,17 These findings prompted debate about whether the observed decline was due to true changes in incidence or changes in diagnostic criteria, treatment practice, or registration.10,18-21