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Reducing social inequities in health in Norway: Concerted action at state and local levels?

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  • Tallarek née Grimm, Marie J.
  • Helgesen, Marit K.
  • Fosse, Elisabeth

Abstract

Norwegian national policies have been distinguished by their focus on equity, contributing to comprehensive policies to reduce the social inequities in health (SIH). The newly adopted Public health act, which aims at reducing the SIH, endorses these acknowledgements while highlighting the importance of municipalities as the key actors in public health. Municipal obligations include inter-sectoral policies for health, health impact assessments (HIA), and the development of local health overviews. Against the background of a system of local autonomy in Norway, this article illuminates whether, and how, municipal public health policies reflect national priorities. Our data are based on one qualitative study, combining document content analysis and expert interviews conducted in 2011, and one quantitative questionnaire sent to municipal chief administrative officers in 2011. Our findings indicate a divide between national and municipal public health strategies. Many municipalities focus on life-style and health-care related measures. Only few municipalities acknowledge the social determinants of health and have implemented HIA and health overviews. Arguing for the importance of concerted multi-level action to reduce the SIH, we need to better understand the gap between national and municipal approaches. We thus suggest further research to illuminate the challenges and success factors faced at local levels.

Suggested Citation

  • Tallarek née Grimm, Marie J. & Helgesen, Marit K. & Fosse, Elisabeth, 2013. "Reducing social inequities in health in Norway: Concerted action at state and local levels?," Health Policy, Elsevier, vol. 113(3), pages 228-235.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:hepoli:v:113:y:2013:i:3:p:228-235
    DOI: 10.1016/j.healthpol.2013.09.019
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Dahlgren, Göran & Whitehead, Margaret, 1991. "Policies and strategies to promote social equity in health. Background document to WHO - Strategy paper for Europe," Arbetsrapport 2007:14, Institute for Futures Studies.
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    1. Elisabeth Fosse & Marit Helgesen, 2017. "Advocating for Health Promotion Policy in Norway: The Role of the County Municipalities," Societies, MDPI, vol. 7(2), pages 1-10, April.
    2. Claudia Costa & Paula Santana & Sani Dimitroulopoulou & Bo Burstrom & Carme Borrell & Jürgen Schweikart & Dagmar Dzurova & Nicolás Zangarini & Klea Katsouyanni & Patrick Deboseree & Ângela Freitas & C, 2019. "Population Health Inequalities Across and Within European Metropolitan Areas through the Lens of the EURO-HEALTHY Population Health Index," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(5), pages 1-17, March.
    3. Guglielmin, Maria & Muntaner, Carles & O’Campo, Patricia & Shankardass, Ketan, 2018. "A scoping review of the implementation of health in all policies at the local level," Health Policy, Elsevier, vol. 122(3), pages 284-292.

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