Public health

One of the things the Nordic countries have in common is that our societies are based on a strong welfare model. An active welfare policy is pursued in all countries, but despite this, there is growing disparity in the health of the population in the Nordic countries. Public health includes all aspects of health; both physical and mental as well as social. We work to improve conditions so that people are able to live as healthy a life as possible. We place great emphasis on the health of children and young people.

We focus on health equity and increasing knowledge of how the main risk factors for noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) – alcohol, tobacco, unhealthy eating habits and lack of exercise – can be countered.

Our focus areas

The Nordic Welfare Centre is the secretariat for the Nordic Arena for Public Health Issues, which works to strengthen Nordic public health work and to reduce health differences between Nordic citizens.

PopNAD is our popular science website for Nordic social science research on alcohol, drugs, doping, tobacco and gambling.

Nordic Studies on Alcohol and Drugs (NAD) is our scientific journal on research into alcohol and drugs in the Nordic region.