Health
The latest health news and practical advice from Sweden.
Atchoo! How to tackle the pollen allergy season in Sweden
Pollen season has made its way to Sweden, as allergy sufferers no doubt have noticed. To make your life easier, The Local has some handy tips for how to make it through the ordeal.
Where in Europe are people likely to live longer?
Life expectancy data reveals that people are living longer in Europe on average, but major differences in gender and geography remain.
Pollution exposure in Europe linked to mental health problems
Environmental pollution is linked to several mental health disorders in Europe, the European Environment Agency (EEA) has warned, arguing that enforcing legislation would result in Europeans being both less depressed and less anxious.
How you can get your Swedish employer to pay for your gym membership
Set yourself the New Year's resolution of getting fit this year? Many Swedish companies offer their employees 'friskvårdsbidrag', a tax-free lump sum for "activities which incorporate some form of exercise" (like a gym membership) or "de-stressing" activities, such as a massage.
Healthcare: What you need to know when moving to Sweden with children
Sweden is often cited as one of the best countries in the world for raising children, but what do international parents need to know when planning a move here? And can your children access healthcare without a Swedish personal number?
Nestlé recalls infant formula in several European countries
Swiss food giant Nestlé has announced a recall of batches of infant formula in several European countries, notably France, Germany, Austria, Denmark, Italy and Sweden, as a precautionary measure.
Immigrants now make up more than half of Sweden's nursing assistants
A new report by the Swedish Association of Local Authorities and Regions (SALAR) has highlighted the growing role of immigrant workers in delivering health and other welfare services, with more than half of all nursing assistants being immigrants.
Nordic countries seize thousands of potentially harmful fake Labubu dolls
Authorities in Denmark have issued a warning over potential harmful chemicals in fake Labubu dolls after authorities in Sweden, Norway and Denmark confiscated almost 9,000 of the counterfeit toys.
'Grim reading': New report shows Nordic countries eating worse and moving less
Residents of the Nordic countries ‒ Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Iceland and Finland ‒ are eating more meat and less fruit and veg, moving less and getting heavier, a new report on lifestyles in the region has shown.
Coughs, colds and flu: What to say and do if you fall sick in Sweden
It’s not pleasant but over the next few weeks and months many people will be falling victim to traditional winter illnesses, from a slight cold to a nasty dose of the flu. So if you are feeling poorly, here’s the Swedish words you need to get help.
'Threat to public order': Doctor's Swedish work permit application rejected again
Sasan Kazemian, the Iranian doctor whose 'talent deportation' case has become national news in Sweden, has been refused a new work permit after leaving Sweden to apply from Iran, with the Migration Agency writing that he is "a threat to public order".
How to get vaccinated against the flu in Sweden
Sweden's influenza vaccine programme is underway. How much does the flu vaccine cost in Sweden, and how can you book your jab?
The Swedish words you need to learn during cold and flu season
Getting ill in a new or unfamiliar country is always an upsetting experience, but if you can't escape the pesky bugs that crop up around this time of year, you can at least use it as a Swedish-learning opportunity.
Should you take vitamin D supplements if you live in Sweden?
Shorter days make it much harder to get enough vitamin D during the colder months of the year in Sweden. Is it worth taking supplements during the winter?
Swedish public health agency calls for ban on teachers' snus use
The Swedish Public Health Agency wants a total ban on snus in schools – not only for students but for teachers as well. The question now is whether the government will act on the proposal.
Mythbuster: Has the EU really banned gel manicures?
New rules on the products used in nail salons came into effect across the EU on September 1st - here's what that means for manicure fans in Europe.
Sweden's government to more than halve dental costs for pensioners
Sweden's government will next year bring in a new subsidy for dental care which will more than halve the average annual cost for people over the pension age of 67 years old.
How to get healthcare as a tourist in Sweden
It's something you would hope to avoid, but if you are in Sweden on holiday you may fall sick or be injured, in which case you will need to access healthcare. Here's how that works for tourists and visitors.
Ticks in Sweden: How to avoid them and protect yourself
You know about elk and bears, but in Sweden one of the most dangerous creatures is one of the smallest: the tick.
Elderly people hospitalised due to heatwave in northern Sweden
A prolonged heatwave across northern Sweden has led to a rise in hospital admissions among elderly patients with chronic conditions.
'Reached the limit': Stockholm city centre only served by one ambulance
Only one ambulance was on duty on Tuesday in an area covering hundreds of thousands of households in Stockholm city centre, a nurse from the central ambulance station warns.
Sweden's new gender change law 'one less thing to worry about'
At the beginning of July, Sweden removed some of the restrictions for changing gender legally and how it appears on official documents. How has this affected people in the country wanting to change gender?
What to do if you get sick in Sweden
When you get sick or injured in a new country it’s not always obvious where to go first. In Sweden, your local vårdcentral (health centre) would usually be your first port of call. Or, if you have Swedish personal number, there’s a smoother and quicker option in the form of healthcare apps like KRY.