Review Article: Public health policies: A Scandinavian model?

Vallgårda, Signild

doi:10.1080/14034940600858433

Cited by 39 publications

(39 citation statements)

References 3 publications

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“…For example, studies have shown Danish views on health policy to be more liberal than those in Sweden and Finland, stressing the importance of individual responsibility and autonomy, while the two others emphasize social relations, common values and equality a greater extent. This focus on the obligation of society is also true of Norway that was deemed the least liberal when it came to views on private vs public responsibility for health (Vallgårda 2007(Vallgårda , 2011. Thus it is not clear how ideologically homogeneous the Nordic countries are, and specifically how much such similarities set them apart from the rest of the world.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 98%

Health behavior in the Nordic countries

Ásgeirsdóttir

Gerdtham²

2016

Nordic J Health Eco

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This paper provides a descriptive analysis of the level of and change in cigarette smoking, excessive alcohol consumption and body weight in Nordic countries and compares them with non-Nordic OECD countries. Our results show that the average prevalence of daily smokers is significantly lower for Nordic countries compared to non-Nordic countries. Four out of five Nordic countries are below the non-Nordic average. However, for alcohol consumption and obesity, it is more difficult to see a clear difference between Nordic countries and non-Nordic countries. Sweden ranks relatively low on all three health behaviors, while alcohol consumption is relatively high in Finland and Denmark. Smoking rates are relatively high in Norway, while the obesity rate is relatively high in Iceland. We conclude that although Nordic populations are often perceived as relatively homogeneous in terms of cultural and political aspects, there are interesting differences in health behaviors within these Nordic countries. These differences need more focus in health-economics research and may have a significant potential in light of the availability of health surveys and administrative register data that can sometimes be linked at the individual level. Such Nordic analyses may, in general, help to move the research front forward and can also be used to predict changes in population health and to study the effectiveness of health economic policies.JEL classification: I10, I12, P36, P46

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 98%

Health behavior in the Nordic countries

Ásgeirsdóttir

Gerdtham²

2016

Nordic J Health Eco

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“…While the two Scandinavian countries studied differ substantially in other areas of public health, 9 they are very similar regarding the issues addressed in this paper. I use two cases to discuss the generalisations presented above.…”

mentioning

confidence: 83%

Appeals to Autonomy and Obedience: Continuity and Change in Governing Technologies in Danish and Swedish Health Promotion

Vallgårda

2011

Med. Hist.

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The increasingly used concept new public health indicates that a fundamental change has occurred in the goals and methods of disease prevention and health promotion. The change is often said to imply less expert-driven governing of citizens. In this article, governing technologies in the field of public health in Denmark and Sweden are analysed to investigate whether substantial changes have taken place in the governing efforts. In the endeavours unfolded in relation to health examinations for children and pregnant women during the last eighty years, no apparent evidence exists of a significant change in governing technologies. Regulatory, expert-driven and empowering technologies have been used during the whole period; additionally, appeals to autonomy, responsibility and obedience as well as to trust in authorities co-exist throughout the period. The fundamental change is the huge increase in the health authorities' governing ambitions.

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“…However, there are common factors, including economic arguments such as 'health is an investment in the good life' (Det kongelige helsedepartment 2003: 6) and social democratic ideals (Vallgårda 2007). With these commonalities as a foundation, arguably a Scandinavian model of public health initiatives that includes cultural activities could be implemented across the Scandinavian countries.…”

Section: Looking Aheadmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…There is no common Nordic political approach to public health (Ringsberg and Borup 2011), and different models of public health policy are applied (Vallgårda 2007). However, there are common factors, including economic arguments such as 'health is an investment in the good life' (Det kongelige helsedepartment 2003: 6) and social democratic ideals (Vallgårda 2007).…”

Section: Looking Aheadmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Danish perspective of culture and health – towards an interdisciplinary approach

Jensen

Wille²

2015

Journal of Applied Arts &Amp; Health

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This article considers how arts and cultural activities can arguably play a significant role in addressing public health issues. While culture and health projects gather momentum in the rest of Scandinavia, it appears that Denmark is lacking behind. This article looks at why this might be, reflecting on the structure of the health care system and policy-making in the health sector in Denmark. In the process, the article identifies the sociopolitical situation and recommends a way forward requiring an interdisciplinary approach, recognizing that while some initiatives are happening the lack of a cross-sector approach makes it difficult to develop a strategic field for arts and health in Denmark. This article makes recommendations for a national and a Scandinavian network, to inform decision-making processes for an interdisciplinary political approach, and to uncover untapped potential in arts and health projects.

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Review Article: Public health policies: A Scandinavian model?

Abstract: There is not one Scandinavian model in public health policy but several: a Danish model mainly adhering to liberal ideals, a Norwegian one that could tentatively be labelled social liberal, and a Swedish model adhering to more social democratic ideals.

Cited by 39 publications

References 3 publications

Health behavior in the Nordic countries

Health behavior in the Nordic countries

Appeals to Autonomy and Obedience: Continuity and Change in Governing Technologies in Danish and Swedish Health Promotion

A Danish perspective of culture and health – towards an interdisciplinary approach

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