Addressing the social determinants of health: Multilevel governance of policies aimed at families with children in Norway

Funded by the Norwegian Research Council, and led by the University of Bergen, this three year project addressed the implementation of the Norwegian policy to level-up the social gradient in health. This demanded multisectoral action and a focus on the social determinants of health. Based on a life course perspective, the target group is families and children.

The main research question the project addressed is how could social inequalities and levelling the gradient for socioeconomic disadvantaged groups be addressed at the local level? 

Local governments have the main responsibility for services aimed at families and children, and in a system of multilevel governance, actors at different levels will be able to influence the implementation process. The project therefore aimed at studying local implementation processes, focussing on institutions at different levels.

This was operationalised in the following questions:

> How do local policy makers take part in formulating policies towards families and children?

> Are the issues of levelling the social gradient addressed?

> Do local policy makers support the principle of Health in All Policies?

> Are local services adhering to reducing inequalities in health and levelling the gradient?

The project collected data in regions and municipalities, combining surveys to all municipalities and county councils with case studies in two regions and four municipalities in each region. The project will build on experiences from Norwegian and European projects.

Partners:

University of Bergen (lead), Department of Health Promotion and Development

Mälardalen University, School of Health, Care and Social Welfare

Norwegian Institute for Urban and Regional Research

Vestfold University College, Department of Health Promotion

University of Brighton, School of Health Sciences