Background: New challenges require new solutions

While the Nordic countries may be known for their high quality of life, signi­fi­cant challenges persist in ensuring universal opportunities for Nordic residents to flourish, irrespective of background or circumstance. We recognise the need for evidence-based tailored solutions to involve everyone who is affected.

Karin Tegmark Wisell, Director General, Public Health Agency of Sweden: The relevance of meaningful leisure time and social connections for good and equal health

– Meaningful leisure time is important for health and should be seen as a source for health improvement.

Karin Tegmark Wisell stressed that the three main topics of the conference, as outlined in Minister Jakob Forssmed’s three questions, call for similar measures to some extent and also share some of the solutions. 

– We must listen to those who are affected, and different sectors need to work together at all levels of society.

Karin Tegmark Wisell pointed out that meaningful leisure time could have a positive impact on mental health through the establishment of social relationships. These can reduce stress and strengthen identity, creativity, connection, harmony, and empowerment.

At the same time, a third of 9–12-year-olds and half of 13–18-year-olds in Sweden report spending too much time on their smartphones. It is equally common among the youth to feel that digital media is addictive and prevents them from completing tasks they should be doing.

– Too much screen time can affect important aspects of health such as sleeping habits, physical activity, and social interactions. Loneliness can lead to poor mental health, and poor mental health can also lead to increased loneliness.

According to Karin Tegmark Wisell, loneliness is not only a tragedy for the individual but can also have a negative impact on entire communities and societies.

– Studies show that social isolation and loneliness may lead to an increased risk of early death. Not only are social isolation and loneliness linked to anxiety, depression, suicide, and dementia, but loneliness can also increase the risk of cardiovascular disease and stroke. It is most common among the oldest and youngest age groups in Sweden. One in four Swedish girls aged 15 experiences loneliness ‘often’ or ‘always’.

Katrine Bach Habersatt, Lead, Behavioural and Cultural Insights, WHO Regional Office for Europe: Behavioural and cultural insights for equitable health

– The connection between behaviours and health is inextricable. What we eat and drink, whether we vaccinate, attend cancer screenings, engage in physical activity, and interact socially has a bearing on health.

Katrine Bach Habersatt emphasises that behaviours have traditionally been categorised as an individual issue. However, health-related behaviours are tied to socioeconomic factors. It can be challenging to prioritise health when faced with other hardships such as lower income, stigmatisation, and exclusion.

– The solution is not to offer the same services and information to everyone. Instead, society should provide the right support to all so that everybody achieves the same health outcomes.

When these policies are formed, says Katrine Bach Habersatt, it is vital to gain insights by engaging and including different population groups. These insights should be used to develop evidence-informed policies, services, and communication. Traditional information campaigning is not enough. The focus should be on health behaviours, improving health and well-being, and reducing inequity.

– Individual factors such as knowledge and motivation are just one side of the coin. To truly understand and address behaviours, we need to study both the sociocultural and the structural context. Interventions should be co-designed by those who are affected.

In order to enable, support, promote, and sometimes restrict certain behaviours in order to achieve better health within a population group, Katrine Bach Habersatt proposes a number of considerations.

– Tailoring the solutions to those who are affected, engagement of those who are affected, learning from individuals who do well despite all odds, using policy to alter social norms, thinking outside the box, and investing in evaluation to ensure we only do good and no harm.