Health disparities persist in Sweden despite advancements in healthcare, according to a modern report from the Socialstyrelsen, the Swedish national board of health and welfare. While treatment outcomes have improved these benefits haven’t been equally distributed across the population, highlighting ongoing inequalities in health access and outcomes.
The report, which examines health trends and healthcare utilization, found that patterns of disparity observed in 2011 remain largely consistent. Differences linked to factors like age, gender, education, and socioeconomic status continue to influence health outcomes, including mortality rates for certain cancers. But, the report also notes positive developments in many areas of healthcare.
“Results in healthcare have improved simultaneously: treatments work better, hospital stays are shorter, and diagnostics are more accurate,” said Anna Bredin, an investigator at Socialstyrelsen. “But this progress hasn’t reached everyone equally. Those who already had good conditions have often benefited more from the improvements.”
Heart Attack, Stroke, and Cancer
The report indicates declining mortality rates following heart attacks and strokes, with a compact difference observed between men and women. Survival rates for several types of cancer are also increasing, and fewer people are dying from the disease overall.
“During the period 2020–2024, the five-year survival rate was 65 percent, an increase of three percentage points from the period 2015–2019,” Bredin noted. “However, inequality is clear. People living in socioeconomically disadvantaged areas, for example, are more likely to have their cancer detected late and have a lower five-year survival rate.”
Key Findings
- The percentage of people dying after a heart attack within 28 days decreased to 21 percent in 2024. While the difference between women and men is small, it is more pronounced between women in different socioeconomic areas – 16 percent in areas with very good conditions compared to 26 percent in areas facing socioeconomic challenges.
- Mortality after stroke is decreasing (24 percent within 90 days between 2022–2024). Significant regional differences exist, with higher mortality rates in areas with socioeconomic challenges.
- Potentially preventable deaths related to healthcare are decreasing, but show large disparities, particularly among men: in 2024, there were 74 deaths per 100,000 inhabitants in areas with significant challenges, compared to 29 in areas with very good conditions.
- Starting this year, data from the report’s core indicators will be available in the agency’s Analysis Tool, allowing regions to independently access data, figures, and make comparisons based on their own needs.
The findings underscore the importance of addressing social determinants of health to ensure equitable access to quality care and improve health outcomes for all populations.
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