Policies to address the social determinants of health in the Nordic countries

Even though reducing social inequalities is one of the main aims of the Nordic welfare model, this aim is not always explicitly connected to the current policies. The model has also been challenged by global economic trends and social inequalities are increasing.

There is an awareness of this situation in the Nordic countries and reducing social inequalities in health is included in general policy recommendations in all the countries. However, regarding concrete policies and measures, it is often the individual approaches, most often related to lifestyle issues, that are being preferred. These are mostly initiated by the health sector.

The study includes three policy recommendations highlighting inter-sectorial collaboration, facilitating of structures and institutionalization.