A renewed Public Health policy for Sweden

Transcription

1 A renewed Public Health policy for Sweden Karin Junehag Källman Public Health Planning Officer Swedish National Institute for Public Health 05/05/2009 Page 1

2 Public Health in Sweden 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*. 05/05/2009 Page 2

3 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. 05/05/2009 Page 3

4 Policy The overarching aim of Sweden s national public health policy is to create social conditions that will ensure good health, on equal terms, for the entire population. A national policy based on health determinants 05/05/2009 Page 4

5 The 11 objective domains 1. Participation and influence in society 2. Economic and social prerequisites 3. Conditions during childhood and adolescence 4. Health in working life 5. Environments and products 6. Health-promoting health services 7. Protection against communicable diseases 8. Sexuality and reproductive health 9. Physical activity 10. Eating habits and food 11. Tobacco, alcohol, illicit drugs, doping and gambling 05/05/2009 Page 5

6 A renewed Public health policy for Sweden In march 2008 the Swedish Government proposed A renewed Public health policy which includes some priorited domains in the in the public health policy in The Swedish Government policy position is that older people and children and young people are the most appropriate target groups for renewed health promotion work. The most priorited objective domains are: 1: Participation and influence in society 3: Conditions during childhood and adolescence 9: Physical activity 10: Eating habits and food 11: Tobacco, alcohol, illicit drugs, doping and gambling Extra economic resources to especially given prioritied areas in public health work within millions Swedish crown to improve childrens mentally health 05/05/2009 Page 6

7 The Swedish National Institute of Public Health The Swedish National Institute of Public Health (SNIPH) is a state agency under the Ministry of Health and Social Affairs. The Institute works to promote health and prevent ill health and injury, especially for population groups most vulnerable to health risks. The three main functions of the Institute are: To monitor and coordinate the implementation of the national public health policy. To be a national centre of knowledge for the development and dissemination of methods and strategies in the field of public health, based on scientific evidence. To exercise supervision in the areas of alcohol, tobacco and illicit drugs. 05/05/2009 Page 7

8 How the Institute works Knowledge about health promotion and disease prevention is compiled and disseminated via the Institute s website and through reports, periodicals and handbooks. In addition, the Institute frequently arranges and participates in conferences, seminars and training programs both nationally and internationally. The work of the Institute is carried out in close collaboration with stakeholders on local and regional level, since that is where the majority of the practical public health activities take place. The SNIPH exercises supervision to guarantee that the sale of alcohol and the production of alcoholic beverages occurs in a responsible manner and that laws and regulations of alcohol retail and production are upheld. Regarding the sale of tobacco and smoking regulations, it is the responsibility of municipalities to exercise direct control, however, the SNIPH provides guidance, information and training while monitoring adherence to the relevant legislation. 05/05/2009 Page 8

9 Monitoring the implementation of public health policy The Swedish National Institute of Public Health is responsible to monitor the implementation of public health policy and evaluation of achievements within the area of public health. The institute shall regularly present a public health policy report to the Swedish government. The report presents the development and analyse of the health determinants and achievements within the eleven domain areas and suggest measures in the future. 05/05/2009 Page 9

10 Health-promoting health services - Objective domain 6 Health services are of considerable importance to long-term health trends through their specific expertise, authority, broad knowledge and ability to come into contact with a large part of the population. A more health-promoting and disease-preventative perspective should permeate all health services and be an obvious part of all care and treatment. Primary care plays an important role in these health promotion efforts. It is in day-to-day meetings with patients that health services have their greatest public health potential. In working with patients, health services should contribute to leshs disease, less disability and less pain, as well as make it easier for the chronically ill to live a good life with their illness. Health services should also prevent illness. This should be done by providing support to more vulnerable individuals or groups, and by supporting equal health at the population level. Work aimed at the population is done by reporting causes of health inequalities to the surrounding world, as well as by cooperating with other key actors in health promotion and preventative efforts. 05/05/2009 Page 10

11 Health promotion health care services Important key role Specific competens and authority Prevention Health promotion in health care services Healthorientation Cooperation with other stakeholders 05/05/2009 Page 11

12 Coming together is a beginning. Keeping together is a progress. Working together is a success. Henry Ford Thank you! Karin 05/05/2009 Page 12