Sweden has one of the highest life expectancies in the world. In 2006 it was 83 years for women and for men it was 79*. The national welfare policy is characterised by universality and generous benefit levels.
Over the past decades, the Swedish life expectancy has increased, mainly as a result of decreased mortality from coronary heart diseases as well as some respiratory diseases. At the same time, the risks of contracting diseases have also been reduced through improved lifestyles, such as less smoking (smoking was prohibited in bars and restaurants in May 2005). The risk of dying from cardiovascular diseases has also been reduced as a result of improvements in medical care. Of great concern, however, is the increasing mental ill health among young people in Sweden, especially among girls. Overweight and obesity continues to increase among men and risk consumption of alcohol in the population as whole is also a concern*.
Public health work in Sweden
Most welfare services, including public health initiatives, are produced in the public sector. Sweden has three democratically elected levels of government. At the national level, the Parliament passes legislation and decides on state revenue (taxes) and expenditure. At the regional and local level, county councils and municipalities each have their own responsibilities and powers, including levying taxes.
The county councils’ and regions’ main task is to manage the healthcare services, while municipalities have a high degree of autonomy and administrate areas such as compulsory and upper secondary education, preschool, elderly care, roads and water, waste and energy. In short, most of the practical public health work in Sweden is carried out at regional and local levels.
In 2003, Sweden adopted a national public health policy. Public authorities should be guided by the 11 objective domains of the policy which cover the most important determinants of Swedish health. The policy was updated in 2008 adding greater elements of individual choice and responsibility. The renewed public health bill focuses particularly on children, young people and the elderly, with a special focus on initiatives aimed at strengthening and supporting parents in their parenthood, increasing suicide prevention efforts, promoting healthy eating habits and physical activity and reducing the use of tobacco.
* National Board of Health and Welfare; Status Report 2007: Public Health and Social Conditions
content responsible: Matt Richardson
updated Wednesday, June 24, 2009
