Public Health Weekly from the National Institute of Public Health

Dizziness on the Rise Among Schoolchildren in Denmark

Many adolescents have experienced dizziness—the sensation that the floor is swaying or that the surroundings are spinning. For a growing number of Danish schoolchildren, however, dizziness is not a fleeting experience. Instead, it is a recurrent condition experienced several times a week, or even daily.

The temporal structure of job centres affects both unemployed citizens and employees

The temporal structure which dominates job centres — with fixed timelines and demands for activity, progress, and efficiency — can be difficult for some long-term unemployed individuals to comply with. It also creates professional dilemmas for staff – concludes a new study.

One in three Danes may have an unhealthy diet by 2040

Too little fruit, vegetables and fish – and too much fat in everyday meals. More and more Danes have an unhealthy diet, and a new analysis suggests the trend is likely to continue.

Four out of five young people want to quit nicotine pouches

Social inequality in health starts early in life

Children of parents with low education face poorer health on a wide range of measures – even when it comes to basic prevention such as childhood vaccinations, a new report shows.

Most infants of parents with a psychiatric diagnosis develop like other children – but a small group stands out

The vast majority of infants whose parents have been diagnosed with a psychiatric disorder develop like other children during their first year of life. They show no signs of delayed development or decreased well-being. This is one of the findings from a new report examining the health, development, and well-being of children born to parents who, within the past five years, have been diagnosed with at least one psychiatric diagnosis at a hospital

Stricter controls make it harder for young people to buy tobacco in stores – but social media takes over

The proportion of minors buying cigarettes or e-cigarettes in kiosks has halved since 2020. However, more young people are now purchasing tobacco and nicotine products through social media or from friends. This is shown by a new study from the National Institute of Public Health.

New recommendations for alcohol prevention in Greenland could break the vicious cycle

About half of the Greenlandic population has experienced alcohol problems in their childhood home—leading to an increased risk of violence and abuse. New recommendations for alcohol prevention aim to ensure that no children are harmed by alcohol in the future.

More young people are asked for ID when buying alcohol – and fewer find alcohol easy accessible

New figures show that more young people are being asked to show ID when attempting to buy alcohol. At the same time, fewer find it easy to get hold of beer and spirits, and according to a researcher, this suggests that the authorities’ tightened control measures are starting to have an effect. However, there is still room for improvement.

Children exposed to poverty face more health challenges

Shorter breastfeeding periods, poorer dietary and meal habits, and less physical activity. These are some of the challenges faced by children growing up in poverty, according to a new report based on data from more than 340,000 children.

Greenlandic children with disabilities experience lower well-being compared to their peers

New report investigates, for the first time, health and well-being among children with disabilities in Greenland.

Care staff receive support in handling ethical dilemmas in dementia care

Nursing home staff feel better equipped to handle ethical dilemmas in dementia care after participating in a specialized initiative, a new study shows.

How are you? The Health of the Danish population under investigation

More than 300,000 Danes are being asked about their health and well-being in a new, large-scale survey. The results will serve as a foundation for better prevention efforts and other initiatives where the need is greatest.

Municipalities face ethical dilemmas in health initiatives

Denmark’s municipalities often face difficult decisions when prioritizing between long-term prevention efforts targeting the general population and specific interventions for residents with chronic illnesses or acute health problems. This is the finding of a new study from the National Institute of Public Health.

Every day over 1,700 Danes are injured in accidents

Injuries and accidents are among the leading causes of morbidity and hospitalizations in Denmark. This is shown by data from the new Danish Injury Register.

New project aims to improve young people’s mental health in the Region of Southern Denmark

Young people in the Region of Southern Denmark will play a key role in a new project aimed at reducing mental health struggles such as loneliness, stress, and low self-esteem. The youth will identify both problems and solutions.

Young people wanted to share their views on body image

Do you respect your body? Do you think you are beautiful even if you don’t look like the people on social media? Researchers are looking for young people aged 15–25 to share their thoughts about their body image. Your answers will help strengthen research into positive body image.

Danish children and adolescents experience more social support than most of their European peers

Children and adolescents in Denmark receive more support from family, friends, and teachers than their peers in most other European countries. This is revealed in a large international schoolchildren survey involving 280,000 students from 44 countries.

Children attending Julemærkehjem often face social and health challenges

A new study shows that these challenges may influence the children's future development and life outcomes.

New study set to explore public health in Greenland

Qanormitaava ippugut? A total of 8,000 peoples are invited to participate in the next Greenland population health survey—the sixth national health survey in the country, this time with a special focus on protective factors and reaching more people than ever before.

Reports highlight focus on Child Life in Healthy Balance

Child Life in Healthy Balance is a community-based initiative designed to foster healthier everyday environments and improve children’s health and well-being. The National Institute of Public Health has now evaluated the implementation of this initiative and examined children’s well-being and weight before its launch.

Danish men needed for a research project on the manosphere

The National Institute of Public Health is looking for Danish men with experiences from the so-called manosphere - online environments where men discuss topics such as masculinity, gender roles, gender equality, and sex.

New study shows possible link between PFAS in blood and effects on the immune system

A new study from the National Institute of Public Health and the ENFORCE research project sheds light on a potential, though not definitive, association between PFAS exposure and the effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccination.

New project maps adolescents and young people’s use of nicotine products in the Nordic countries

The Danish National Institute of Public Health will examine the development in the use of e-cigarettes, snus, and nicotine pouches among adolescents and young adults in the Nordic and Baltic countries. The study aims to inspire future efforts to protect young people from nicotine addiction.

Professionals and citizens need to be involved in the development of national initiatives in Greenland

A new PhD dissertation from the Centre for Public Health in Greenland and the University of Greenland emphasizes how national initiatives, such as the parenting program MANU, only can succeed when local professionals and citizens are involved in both development and implementation. The study shows that many national initiatives fail because they are not based on local conditions and needs.

Danish Schoolchildren Continue to Engage in Physical Activity More Than Other European Schoolchildren

Children and young people in Denmark continue to engage in sports and physical activities in their free time as they grow older, and to a greater extent than in other European countries, according to an international schoolchildren survey with data from 44 countries.

More Than Every Other School Fails to Teach Life-Saving First Aid

More than half of Denmark's primary schools do not comply with the law requiring them to teach students first aid. Schools report a lack of skills and awareness of the law as the main barriers.

More Drowning Accidents – Especially Among Older Men

There has been an increase in the number of drowning accidents, according to a new report. The increase is particularly attributed to older men swimming at the beach or going on boat trips.

Research project aims to strengthen smoke-free school hours

Although smoke-free school hours have been mandated by law, many students at Danish preparatory basic education and vocational schools continue to use nicotine and tobacco products during school hours. Now, researchers from the National Institute of Public Health are starting a new study to investigate how to promote the uptake of the policy into routine practice.

Back Pain imposes High Costs on Society

Back pain comes at a high cost in terms of sick leave, lost productivity, disability pensions, and premature death. Women, in particular, are heavily affected by lower back pain.

Recommendations for Recruiting and Retaining Citizens in Alcohol Treatment

How can we get citizens into alcohol treatment earlier and how can we keep them in treatment? Researchers at the National Institute of Public Health have some suggestions and are now sharing their recommendations from an intervention study that has successfully managed to get citizens into alcohol treatment early and retain them.

Young People from Low-Income Families Have Twice the Risk of Dying Early

Social Inequality: A new study shows that the social and economic background of young people significantly impacts their risk of dying at a young age.

New Course Provides Knowledge and Tools on Art and Culture as Health Promotion

The National Institute of Public Health now offers a course that equips professionals to use art and culture to promote health and well-being.

Online Alcohol Treatment Proves Effective for a Special Group of Individuals

A new form of alcohol treatment, which takes place online, is successfully getting individuals into treatment earlier and retaining them. Moreover, it has succeeded in recruiting individuals who typically do not seek help through the public healthcare system.

Small children spend too much time in front of a screen compared to the recommendations

Preschool children aged 4 use screens much more than recommended by both the World Health Organization (WHO) and Børns Vilkår. This is revealed in the first national study of screen use among 4-year-olds.

Denmark is among the countries in Europe where the fewest children experience bullying in school

Compared to children in 43 other European countries and Canada, fewer Danish children are bullied in school. However, Danish children experience bullying more often on social media, according to a new large international study.

Minors receive alcohol from their parents before they are old enough to buy it themselves.

A new report reveals that more than half of all 15-year-olds received alcohol from their parents the last time they drank.