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Introduction: The Syrian refugee crisis has led to significant population displacement, with many seeking refuge and asylum in Nordic countries. While these countries offer safety and stability, the resettlement process combined with the refugees' own traumatic experiences can exacerbate existing or precipitate new mental health issues. Aim: This systematic review aims to comprehensively analyse the literature on mental health problems among Syrian refugees resettled in Nordic countries, exploring their prevalence and associated factors. Methods: A comprehensive literature search was conducted following PRISMA guidelines, utilizing databases including Web of Science, PubMed, MEDLINE, and Cochrane. The included studies focused on adult Syrian refugees or asylum seekers aged 18 and above, residing within Nordic countries, and investigated various mental health problems between March 2011 and January 2024, conducted in various Nordic countries. Results: Studies revealed high prevalence rates of PTSD (26%–45%), depression (40%–45%), and anxiety (30%–32%). Factors contributing to mental health problems included pre- and post-migration trauma, perceived discrimination, and socio-demographic variables. Pre-migration trauma exposure, such as witnessing violent events, was linked to trauma centrality and emotional suppression. Post-migration stressors like discrimination and financial strain, along with socio-demographic factors like gender and age, were associated with mental health issues. Specifically, female and older refugees reported higher levels of anxiety, depression, and low future expectations. Conclusion: The findings underscore the urgent need for comprehensive mental health assessment and services for Syrian refugees in Nordic countries. Addressing trauma, discrimination, and socio-economic challenges is crucial for improving their well-being and facilitating successful integration into host countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In May 2022 Finland and Sweden took the historical decision to apply for membership in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). One month later, after a three-decade long opt-out, Denmark voted overwhelmingly in a referendum to join the European Union (EU) common defence policy (CSDP). Combining organised hypocrisy with post-functionalism, the article focuses on the normative and pragmatic concerns underlying states' interaction with international institutions. Empirically, the article analyses the long-term political-institutional dynamics between Nordic countries, the EU CSDP and NATO since the end of the Cold War, and how they have been reshaped by the crisis provoked by the Russian attack on Ukraine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The demand for research on air pollution inequality in Nordic countries is rising with the growing evidence of adverse health effects. We examined socio-economic and ethnic disparities in air pollution exposure from 1990 to 2016. Results revealed that exposure to PM2.5 and NO2 was generally higher in municipalities with higher income, education and immigrant populations. Disparities mostly decreased over time, benefiting almost all groups. But, ozone exposure increased in many regions. The findings highlight the need for attention to rising ozone levels and disproportionate exposure of immigrants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The topic of environmental taxation is becoming increasingly significant, particularly in its role in promoting sustainable development. Environmental tax policy can be used as an active tool for improving environmental quality and economic development. The primary aim of this study is to detect which environmental tax revenues influenced economic development in Nordic countries (Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden) for the period 2013–2022. The empirical findings of various panel models confirm that energy tax revenues and transport tax revenues have significant and positive effects on economic development measured by GDP per capita. Additionally, pollution tax revenues have a positive but not significant impact on GDP per capita in these countries. Nordic countries should focus on a greater share of these revenues in their total tax structure, especially pollution tax revenues, to provide desirable implications and effects on economic development in the Nordic region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The creation of a common European market for financial services has significantly altered the strategic edifice for banks, as well as for the trade unions representing their employees. In the Nordic countries, where regulation of the labour market has long relied on multiemployer bargaining and strong sector-level actors, this has led to a strategic realignment. Faced with mergers and acquisitions, the potential for delocalization and an increasing amount of directly applicable EU-regulation in the sector, Nordic finance trade unions have supported the creation of company-level trade union alliances within MNCs, while still building upon resources and repertoires stemming from Nordic 'comparative institutional advantage'. Our 'extended case study' of three such alliances in the finance sector, called 'Nordic company clubs', concludes that, while trade unions there still benefit from strong, typically Nordic institutional and associational power resources, important actor-centred variables and capabilities such as narratives, scaling, resourcefulness and institutional experimentation complement and strengthen our understanding of trade union strategies and institutional change in the context of market integration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this article is to explore the interrelationships between a national government and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) in terms of the power and legitimization of education reforms, here based on the reciprocal dependence of the two actors. Although the current case study only analyses the shifting relationships between Sweden and the OECD, the assumption is that the case is quite representative of the ambiguities of power in the relationships between the OECD and its smaller member countries and the Nordic countries in particular. To explore the relationship between the Swedish national government and OECD, we make use of discursive institutionalism as a general framework. For a closer understanding of the standpoints of the OECD and Sweden on different matters and at different times, two explanation logics are used. The discourses we found characterizing the different kinds of relationships over time are a discourse of opposition, a discourse of mentorship and a discourse of subordination. We argue that there are both ideational and institutional reasons affecting the conditions for cooperation on educational policy. Although institutional reasons strengthen the maintenance of the cooperation, ideational reasons both challenge and develop the nature of the collaboration between the OECD and Sweden. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The notion of intervention is gaining traction among Western environmental journalists. While existing research has predominantly focused on countries outside the Nordic region, in our study we investigate the self-perceptions of professional journalists in the Nordic countries of Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden. Through semi-structured interviews, we examine the roles that Nordic journalists construct when reflecting on covering the environmental beat, paying particular attention to how they make sense of the idea of intervening – that is, their involvement in interpreting, making sense of, and engaging the public in environmental issues. Using thematic qualitative analysis to analyse the interviews, we have identified four journalistic roles: 1) objective news provider, 2) critical watchdog, 3) sense-maker and educator, and 4) environmental advocate. Our findings suggest that Nordic journalists intervene byadhering to professional norms and practices and renegotiating them. While the role of objective news provider remains prominent among Nordic journalists, it is intertwined with various forms of intervention across all identified roles.

The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 of India has been widely recognized as a significant and transformative reform endeavour, with the objective of reshaping the educational framework of the country. The aims to establish an education system deeply rooted in Indian Ethos, with the objective of transforming India, also known as Bharat, into a sustainable, equitable, and vibrant knowledge society. The policy seeks to achieve this by ensuring access to high-quality education for all individuals, thereby positioning India as a global knowledge superpower. This paper provides an understanding about the provisions and prospective effect of the NEP 2020 on historically marginalized students in the realm of higher education. In an era marked by a global movement that brings attention to the marginalization and underrepresentation experienced by some groups inside educational institutions, this study poses a crucial question: Can the Indian higher education system effectively cultivate inclusivity? This study compares the higher education initiatives of Nordic region with India in the framework of equity and inclusive education. This article concludes with the ideas for promoting inclusivity, particularly by addressing the educational challenges faced by underprivileged students to enhance the Education system both in India and in Nordic regions.

Abstract Background Sarcopenia and sarcopenic obesity (SO) are age-related syndromes that may compromise physical and mental health among older adults. The Nordic countries differ from other regions on prevalence of disease, life-style behavior, and life expectancy, which may impact prevalence of sarcopenia and SO. Therefore, the aim of this study is to review the available evidence and gaps within this field in the Nordic countries. Methods PubMed, Embase, and Web of science (WOS) were searched up to February 2023. In addition, grey literature and reference lists of included studies were searched. Two independent researcher assessed papers and extracted data. Results Thirty-three studies out of 6,363 searched studies were included in this scoping review. Overall prevalence of sarcopenia varied from 0.9 to 58.5%. A wide prevalence range was still present for community-dwelling older adults when definition criteria and setting were considered. The prevalence of SO ranged from 4 to 11%, according to the only study on this field. Based on the included studies, potential risk factors for sarcopenia include malnutrition, low physical activity, specific diseases (e.g., diabetes), inflammation, polypharmacy, and aging, whereas increased levels of physical activity and improved dietary intake may reduce the risk of sarcopenia. The few available interventions for sarcopenia were mainly focused on resistance training with/without nutritional supplements (e.g., protein, vitamin D). Conclusion The findings of our study revealed inadequate research on SO but an increasing trend in the number of studies on sarcopenia. However, most of the included studies had descriptive cross-sectional design, small sample size, and applied different diagnostic criteria. Therefore, larger well-designed cohort studies that adhere to uniform recent guidelines are required to capture a full picture of these two age-related medical conditions in Nordic countries, and plan for prevention/treatment accordingly.

Abstract Background To strengthen palliative care for children in the Nordic countries, an updated status of current needs, resources, clinical services, education, and research is necessary to align and consolidate future research. A Nordic research collaboration initiative for children with palliative care needs was assembled in 2023. Building on this initiative, this paper presents an overview of pediatric palliative care (PPC) in the Nordic countries’ (a) population characteristics, (b) care models and setting of care, (c) education and training, and (d) research. Methods The Nordic initiative researchers collaboratively gathered and assessed available data on the characteristics of PPC within Denmark, Finland, Greenland, Iceland, Norway, the Faroe Islands, Sweden, and Åland. Data were compiled in a matrix with population characteristics, models- and setting of care, education and training, and areas of research in a Nordic context. The findings are narratively and descriptively presented, providing an overview of Nordic PPC. Results In total, the Nordic child population comprises around six million children (0–19 years), of which about 41.200 are estimated to be living with a life-limiting and/or life-threatening condition. Healthcare services are provided through various care models, ranging from specialized care to homecare settings. Overall, there remain few opportunities for education and training with some exceptions. Also, Nordic research within PPC has been shown to be a growing field although much remains to be done. Conclusion This overview is the first outline of the current PPC in Nordic countries. Although some differences remain important to acknowledge, overall, the strengths and challenges faced within PPC in the Nordic countries are comparable and call for joint action to increase evidence, services, and education to better serve the children, families, and healthcare personnel within PPC. Despite the varying structural premises for PPC, research endeavors aiming to provide evidence in this field seem increasing, timely and relevant for the Nordic countries, as well as the international context.

Sanna Toppila-Salmi,1,2 Leif Bjermer,3 Lars-Olaf Cardell,4,5 Anders Cervin,6,7 Tuuli Heinikari,2 Lauri Lehtimäki,8,9 Marie Lundberg,10 Jens C Richter,11 Saara Sillanpää9,12 1Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Kuopio University Hospital and School of Medicine, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland; 2Skin and Allergy Hospital, Helsinki University Hospital and University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland; 3Department of Clinical Sciences, Respiratory Medicine and Allergology, Lund University, Lund, Sweden; 4Division of ENT Diseases, Department of Clinical Sciences, Intervention and Technology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden; 5Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden; 6Centre for Clinical Research, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia; 7Faculty of Medicine, Lund University, Lund, Sweden; 8Allergy Centre, Tampere University Hospital, Tampere, Finland; 9Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology, Tampere University, Tampere, Finland; 10Department of Otorhinolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery, Helsinki University Hospital and University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland; 11Department of Asthma and Allergology, Clinic of Lung Medicine, Skåne University Hospital and Lund University, Lund, Sweden; 12Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Tampere University Hospital, Tampere, FinlandCorrespondence: Sanna Toppila-Salmi, Haartmaninkatu 3, Haartman Institute, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, 00014, Finland, Email sanna.salmi@helsinki.fiAbstract: Severe chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyposis (CRSwNP) is a disabling airway disease that significantly impacts patients’ lives through the severity of symptoms, the need for long-term medical treatment and the high risk of recurrence post-surgery. Biological agents targeting type 2 immune responses underlying the pathogenesis of CRSwNP have shown effectiveness in reducing polyp size and eosinophilic infiltrate, and in decreasing the need for additional sinus surgeries. However, despite recent progress in understanding and treating the disease, type 2 inflammation-driven severe CRSwNP continues to pose challenges to clinical management due to several factors such as persistent inflammation, polyp recurrence, heterogeneity of disease, and comorbidities. This article presents the findings of a scientific discussion involving a panel of ear, nose and throat (ENT) specialists and pulmonologists across Sweden and Finland. The discussion aimed to explore current management practices for type 2 inflammation-driven severe CRSwNP in the Nordic region. The main topics examined encompassed screening and referral, measurements of disease control, treatment goals, and future perspectives. The experts emphasized the importance of a collaborative approach in the management of this challenging patient population. The discussion also revealed a need to broaden treatment options for patients with type 2 inflammation-driven CRSwNP and comorbid conditions with shared type 2 pathophysiology. In light of the supporting evidence, a shift in the disease model from the presence of polyps to that of type 2 inflammation may be warranted. Overall, this discussion provides valuable insights for the scientific community and can potentially guide the future management of CRSwNP.Keywords: chronic rhinosinusitis, type 2 immunity, surgery, biological therapy, Nordic countries, collaboration

The aim of this article is to explore the interrelationships between a national government and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) in terms of the power and legitimization of education reforms, here based on the reciprocal dependence of the two actors. Although the current case study only analyses the shifting relationships between Sweden and the OECD, the assumption is that the case is quite representative of the ambiguities of power in the relationships between the OECD and its smaller member countries and the Nordic countries in particular. To explore the relationship between the Swedish national government and OECD, we make use of discursive institutionalism as a general framework. For a closer understanding of the standpoints of the OECD and Sweden on different matters and at different times, two explanation logics are used. The discourses we found characterizing the different kinds of relationships over time are a discourse of opposition, a discourse of mentorship and a discourse of subordination. We argue that there are both ideational and institutional reasons affecting the conditions for cooperation on educational policy. Although institutional reasons strengthen the maintenance of the cooperation, ideational reasons both challenge and develop the nature of the collaboration between the OECD and Sweden.

In October 1975, the Icelandic women’s movement organized a ‘Women’s Day Off’ (WDO), a one-day strike designed to reveal the societal importance of women’s work. In this article, we explore media coverage of the WDO in the Nordic countries. Through an analytical lens that focuses on media framing and journalistic practices, we analyse differences in the coverage’s scope and content. We also contextualize the coverage against the background of sociopolitical factors that may have affected the cultural filtering of the news, as well as journalistic practices and resources in each country. In doing so, we demonstrate that the coverage relied on each newsroom’s estimation of the event’s newsworthiness for local readers. That news value was influenced by the country in question’s cultural proximity to Iceland, the state of local feminist organizing and public discussions regarding gender equality, and other news topics in circulation at the time. Our analysis is based on a reading of media texts related to the WDO that we gathered using digital interfaces of the national libraries of Norway, Denmark, Sweden and Finland, complemented by a manual search in cases where such digitization was lacking. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study explores the complexities of intercultural family-school cooperation, particularly focusing on the dilemma of involving child language brokers versus professional interpreters in the context of compulsory schooling in Denmark, Iceland, and Norway. Utilising critical pedagogy as the theoretical framework, the study examines the experiences and perspectives of student teachers regarding cooperation with families who require language assistance. The data were collected via individual interviews with 36 student teachers. At the time of the study, they were enrolled in full-time teacher education programmes in their respective home countries and were in the final year of their educational journey. Drawing on their field experiences, the student teachers presented diverse scenarios in which they articulated a reasoned preference for involving either professional interpreters or child language brokers. As implications derived from the findings, it is evident that the involvement of professional interpreters and child language brokers in intercultural family-school cooperation necessitates a comprehensive evaluation by school personnel of the power dynamics, the emotional well-being of all parties involved, and the issues of confidentiality and professionalism. The study highlights the need for teacher education to address intercultural family-school cooperation holistically. It advocates for an enhanced focus on sustainable language support strategies, extending beyond reliance on interpreters or child language brokers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The contribution of this article is to collect and evaluate developed-country citizen-migration motives during the first year of the Covid-19 pandemic (March 2020–March 2021) by concentrating on return and circular migration to the Nordic and Baltic countries. The focus is on trying to understand who returned and why, and if these individuals were likely to stay or engage in further circular migration. In our exploratory study, we engaged with prevailing migration theories to analyse our unique dataset, to ascertain how well existing scholarship might account for and predict migration during a crisis situation. The study makes a valuable contribution to the ongoing discussion on the effect of Covid-19 on migration patterns, especially of highly qualified migrants, and calls for further scholarly investigation into the impact of emotions, social relations and obligations on return and circular migration motivations. This study also reveals how governments with established diaspora policies and initiatives that promote return migration engaged with the returning citizens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nordic countries are similar when it comes to migratory trends. However, when the 'multicultural question' erupted in the 1970s, they opted for different policies. In the early 2000s, some scholars analysed a retreat from multiculturalism policies and a civic integrationist turn. Yet, our knowledge of the processes of convergence or divergence per se of these policies is still limited. Using the comparative method, this article shows that, during that period of time, the five Nordic countries were divided into two camps, with little mixing in terms of policy content: multiculturalist (Sweden and Norway) and assimilationist (Denmark and Iceland). Finland shifted its policy from assimilation to multiculturalism in the 1990s, when it became a country of immigration. It adopted the same range of multicultural policies as Sweden and Norway; Sweden was the leader on this and Denmark was the least multiculturalist. Negative feedback was the most recurrent mechanism of policy reproduction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The Coronavirus 2019 Disease (COVID‐19) pandemic reached the Nordic countries in March 2020. Public health interventions to limit viral transmission varied across different countries both in timing and in magnitude. Interventions indicated by an Oxford Stringency Index ≥50 were implemented early (March 13–17, 2020) in Denmark, Finland, Norway and Iceland, and on March 26, 2020 in Sweden. The aim of the current study was to assess the incidence of COVID‐19‐related admissions of pregnant women in the Nordic countries in relation to the different national public health strategies during the first year of the pandemic. Material and methods: This is a meta‐analysis of population‐based cohort studies in the five Nordic countries with national or regional surveillance in the Nordic Obstetric Surveillance System (NOSS) collaboration: national data from Denmark, Finland, Iceland and Norway, and regional data covering 31% of births in Sweden. The source population consisted of women giving birth in the included areas March 1–December 31, 2020. Pregnant women with a positive SARS‐CoV‐2 PCR test ≤14 days before hospital admission were included, and admissions were stratified as either COVID‐19‐related or non‐COVID (other obstetric healthcare). Information about public health policies was retrieved retrospectively. Results: In total, 392 382 maternities were considered. Of these, 600 women were diagnosed with SARS‐CoV‐2 infection and 137 (22.8%) were admitted for COVID‐19 symptoms. The pooled incidence of COVID‐19 admissions per 1000 maternities was 0.5 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.2 to 1.2, I2 = 77.6, tau2 = 0.68, P = 0.0), ranging from no admissions in Iceland to 1.9 admissions in the Swedish regions. Interventions to restrict viral transmission were less stringent in Sweden than in the other Nordic countries. Conclusions: There was a clear variation in pregnant women's risk of COVID‐19 admission across countries with similar healthcare systems but different public health interventions to limit viral transmission. The meta‐analysis indicates that early suppression policies protected pregnant women from severe COVID‐19 disease prior to the availability of individual protection with vaccines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this article, we examine how policymakers from three Nordic countries, Finland, Iceland and Sweden, reflect on the future at 2 different points in time: just before the first PISA study (1998–1999) and more than 15 years later (2015–2017). The empirical data consist of interviews (N = 37) with national policymakers, collected in two comparative Nordic education policy research projects. As a result of this study, we identified three common themes according to which Nordic policymakers discussed the future: (a) school, work, and social equality in a changing society; (b) policies and practices of education governance; and (c) the future of the teaching profession and teacher education. Whereas these themes constitute a shared semantic basis for envisioning the future of Nordic education, contrasting policymakers' future reflections across time and space also reveals differences, contradictions and changes in ways of thinking about the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article explores how foreign capital inflows affect employment structures in host countries, focusing on the impact of Nordic multinational corporations (MNCs) in Lithuania. Topics discussed include the correlation between sectorial foreign direct investment (FDI) and sectorial employment, the application of the Clark-Fisher model to analyze employment changes, and the interaction between MNC expansion and sectorial employment dynamics.

This study addresses the research gap in heritage Hebrew in Nordic countries, focusing on the perspectives of Hebrew-speaking immigrant parents in Finland. The objective is to understand family language policies and the use of Hebrew within multilingual families, exploring factors influencing parental decisions on heritage Hebrew transmission to the children. Employing a mixed qualitative–quantitative approach and the FLP analysis method, the research explores language management and the dynamic use of Hebrew within families, examining factors that influence heritage Hebrew maintenance in Finland. A survey of 36 families revealed a shift away from Hebrew towards the majority languages in Finland, with approximately a third of the children having poor or non-existent oral Hebrew skills. Despite the emphasis on Hebrew literacy by many parents, the reported proficiency levels were low, with slightly over 10% of children demonstrating good or excellent reading and writing skills, while 43% were entirely illiterate in the language. A third of respondents cited challenges in accessing Hebrew education, attributing it as the primary reason for the children's illiteracy, as only 26.3% of children received external Hebrew teaching. While the connection between the birth order of the children and their heritage Hebrew skills presented diverse patterns, the survey revealed a notable shift towards Finnish as the primary communication language among siblings. A unique connection was found between parents' birthplace and language choices, indicating reduced Hebrew transmission among repatriated parents. These insights contribute to understanding heritage Hebrew dynamics in Finland, with potential implications for informing policies supporting language transmission in similar contexts and practical application in multilingual families worldwide. Furthermore, by analyzing the dynamics of maintaining heritage Hebrew in Finland and investigating the language policies of immigrant Israeli families in the Nordic context, this study expands the theoretical understanding and contributes to the advancement of the fields of heritage languages and family language policies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: This article explores how individual-level attitudes towards the exchange of sexual services for payment differ between the Nordic countries. The sparse existing research points to gender and general attitudes towards sexual behavior as powerful predictors of attitudes towards the exchange of sex for payment. However, there are no previous research agendas that attempt to explain variance in such attitudes including all the Nordic countries. Methods: We estimate regression models utilizing data from the joint Wave 5 European Values Study (EVS)/World Values Survey (WVS) Wave 7 (EVS 2017; WVS, 2020) asking about the acceptability of prostitution to predict attitudes towards the exchange of sexual services for payment in Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden. Results: The findings point to considerable variation in attitudes towards the exchange of sex for payment in the Nordic countries. The attitudinal differences align with how the different Nordic governments have approached the issue at hand. Moreover, the results suggest that gender and attitudes towards non-committal casual sex play a critical role in determining attitudes towards the exchange of sex for payment. The impact of attitudes towards non-committal casual sex on attitudes towards the acceptability of exchanging sex for payment is different for women when compared to men in four of the five countries. Conclusions: The empirical results provide convincing evidence that women are less likely than men to translate liberal attitudes towards general sexual behavior into lenient attitudes towards the exchange of sex for payment. Policy Implications: The results indicate that government policies play a crucial role in shaping public attitudes towards the exchange of sex for payment, and policymakers should consider the potential impact of their stance on the issue. Policymakers and others who want to shift attitudes towards the exchange of sex for payment in the Nordic region should be cognizant of their interconnectedness with gender and attitudes towards non-committal casual sex. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Sarcopenia and sarcopenic obesity (SO) are age-related syndromes that may compromise physical and mental health among older adults. The Nordic countries differ from other regions on prevalence of disease, life-style behavior, and life expectancy, which may impact prevalence of sarcopenia and SO. Therefore, the aim of this study is to review the available evidence and gaps within this field in the Nordic countries. Methods: PubMed, Embase, and Web of science (WOS) were searched up to February 2023. In addition, grey literature and reference lists of included studies were searched. Two independent researcher assessed papers and extracted data. Results: Thirty-three studies out of 6,363 searched studies were included in this scoping review. Overall prevalence of sarcopenia varied from 0.9 to 58.5%. A wide prevalence range was still present for community-dwelling older adults when definition criteria and setting were considered. The prevalence of SO ranged from 4 to 11%, according to the only study on this field. Based on the included studies, potential risk factors for sarcopenia include malnutrition, low physical activity, specific diseases (e.g., diabetes), inflammation, polypharmacy, and aging, whereas increased levels of physical activity and improved dietary intake may reduce the risk of sarcopenia. The few available interventions for sarcopenia were mainly focused on resistance training with/without nutritional supplements (e.g., protein, vitamin D). Conclusion: The findings of our study revealed inadequate research on SO but an increasing trend in the number of studies on sarcopenia. However, most of the included studies had descriptive cross-sectional design, small sample size, and applied different diagnostic criteria. Therefore, larger well-designed cohort studies that adhere to uniform recent guidelines are required to capture a full picture of these two age-related medical conditions in Nordic countries, and plan for prevention/treatment accordingly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: To strengthen palliative care for children in the Nordic countries, an updated status of current needs, resources, clinical services, education, and research is necessary to align and consolidate future research. A Nordic research collaboration initiative for children with palliative care needs was assembled in 2023. Building on this initiative, this paper presents an overview of pediatric palliative care (PPC) in the Nordic countries' (a) population characteristics, (b) care models and setting of care, (c) education and training, and (d) research. Methods: The Nordic initiative researchers collaboratively gathered and assessed available data on the characteristics of PPC within Denmark, Finland, Greenland, Iceland, Norway, the Faroe Islands, Sweden, and Åland. Data were compiled in a matrix with population characteristics, models- and setting of care, education and training, and areas of research in a Nordic context. The findings are narratively and descriptively presented, providing an overview of Nordic PPC. Results: In total, the Nordic child population comprises around six million children (0–19 years), of which about 41.200 are estimated to be living with a life-limiting and/or life-threatening condition. Healthcare services are provided through various care models, ranging from specialized care to homecare settings. Overall, there remain few opportunities for education and training with some exceptions. Also, Nordic research within PPC has been shown to be a growing field although much remains to be done. Conclusion: This overview is the first outline of the current PPC in Nordic countries. Although some differences remain important to acknowledge, overall, the strengths and challenges faced within PPC in the Nordic countries are comparable and call for joint action to increase evidence, services, and education to better serve the children, families, and healthcare personnel within PPC. Despite the varying structural premises for PPC, research endeavors aiming to provide evidence in this field seem increasing, timely and relevant for the Nordic countries, as well as the international context. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Sámi people stand out as the only Indigenous minority in an egalitarian European context, namely the Nordic Countries. Therefore, inequalities that they may face are worth closer inspection. Drawing on the distinction between inequalities among individuals (vertical) and between groups (horizontal), we investigate how different types of inequalities affect the Sámi today. We formulate a series of hypotheses on how social, economic, cultural, and political inequalities are linked with discrimination experience, and test these with original data from a population survey conducted in northern Norway and northern Sweden simultaneously in 2021. The findings show that Sámi ethnic background increases the probability of experiencing discrimination. While individual-level economic inequality is also pertinent, this does not directly materialise as between-group inequality. Instead, minority language use is a strong predictor of discrimination experience, revealing the socio-cultural nature of ethnic inequalities. Cross-country differences are only reflected in the effect of minority language use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Nordic Countries have taken different approaches towards a shared goal of helping Ukraine's independence and sovereignty against Russia's invasion while securing the safety of the Nordic region. The Nordic countries have taken and resettled over 0.2 million Ukrainian refugees since the beginning of the war as of early 2024. The combined financial aid to Ukraine from the Nordic countries totals approximately €19.03 billion. Among the Nordic countries, Denmark and Finland have taken a military-centric approach by sending most of their funds towards military support, while Sweden took a more humanitarian approach. Iceland and Norway took a balanced approach maintainin g equality in terms of providing humanitarian and military aid. Denmark, Norway and Sweden have taken a long-term initiative towards helping Ukraine. Even Iceland is also undergoing the approval of a five-year-long plan to help Ukraine in the war. All five of the Nordic countries are now members of NATO, as Finland and Sweden have joined recently, to ensure the security of the Nordic region. The Nordic countries have sided with Ukraine against Russia since the beginning of the invasion and plan on supporting it as long as it takes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Nordic Countries are seen as forerunners in the field of digital health technologies and national implementation has been guided by sector specific strategies for many years. In the context of new European legislation such as the European Health Data Space (EHDS), a review of the existing strategies is indicated. The objective of this policy analysis is to assess and compare the scope, ambitions and extent of accountability in national-level digital health policies in the Nordic countries. The scope of the policies from the five countries were largely centred around a) empowering and activating citizens; b) a shift towards prevention and digital first; c) supporting health operations; d) doing the groundwork; e) making health data more available in research and innovation workflows and f) supporting health personnel. Finland comes out as the most ambitious country with the aim to transform their health system by means of digitalisation. Both Finland and Iceland work towards prevention and the digital first ambition due to large populations in rural areas. These two countries also present the most accountable policies, meaning that their policy documents are the most transparent as to how they arrived at the conclusions and how they are to evaluate the achievements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The quality of the digital healthcare systems relies on citizens' willingness to share their digital health data. This makes citizens’ use, perceptions, and attitudes towards digital healthcare systems pivotal. The study presented here examines Nordic citizens’ willingness to share digital health data with healthcare providers and for research purposes. A cross-sectional study design was applied to obtain answers from citizens in Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden. The results are based on answers from 5078 citizens across the five countries. Results based on descriptive statistics indicate that the majority of Nordic citizens are willing to share health data that has clinical relevance with healthcare providers and for research purposes. The odds ratio analysis reveals that citizens’ odds of sharing health data decreases with age and increases with the level of education. Conclusively, this study shows that most Nordic citizens are willing to share their health data, influenced by age and level of education. Awareness of and efforts to support citizens who are unable or unwilling to actively use and engage with the digital healthcare system is recommended. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Nutrient requirements vary across the reproductive cycle, but research on changes in nutritional intake and quality from pregnancy to beyond the lactation period is limited. Thus, we aimed to study nutritional intake and quality changes, among Swedish pregnant participants from late pregnancy to 18 months postpartum and to study the determinants of nutritional quality changes. Participants (n = 72) were studied longitudinally from the third trimester of pregnancy and postpartum (2 weeks 4, 12, and 18 months postpartum). At each visit, participant characteristics and 4‐day food diaries were collected. Nutritional quality was assessed by energy adjusted Nutrient Rich Food Index 11.3. Linear mixed models were used to analyze the determinants of change in nutritional quality. Intakes of carbohydrate energy percentage (E%), fiber, vitamin A, vitamin C, and potassium were higher in the third trimester compared to postpartum, whereas intakes of E% protein and monounsaturated fat were lower. Adherence to recommended intakes was low at all study visits for saturated fat (4%–11%), fiber (15%–39%), vitamin D (8%–14%), folate (0%–2%), and iron (6%–21%). Overall, nutritional quality did not differ significantly from third trimester to postpartum. Shorter duration (

Background This article aims to study the research outcomes of five Nordic countries in terms of research publications, spend on R&D, outcomes and collaborations as these are important parameters to understand research thrust of the countries/regions, in addition to their innovation capability. Methods The research outcomes of the Nordic countries in terms of the total number of publications, coauthored publications, publications with corporate collaborators, citations, the Field Weighted Citation Index (FWCI) and publications in different subject areas were retrieved using Scopus and its associate SciVal. The research outcomes were extracted for five years from 2016-2020. In addition, total population, researcher population and research spend of these countries have been obtained from World Bank data available for the year 2021. Results The analysis showed that Sweden has the highest population and the highest number of researchers in this region. All countries have the highest number of coauthored publications with the United States, followed by the United Kingdom, except Iceland, which has the second highest number of coauthored publications with Sweden. Denmark, followed by Iceland, stands prominent with reference to having publications with corporate collaborations. Denmark and Sweden have a high percentage of articles in first quartile journals, which is above the average for Nordic countries. Iceland stands at the top with the highest citations, which is depicted by high FWCI. Across subject areas, the Nordic countries have maximum publications in life sciences. Other prominent subject areas include technology and natural sciences. Conclusion On analysing the research landscape of Nordic countries, maximum research output is in the field of life sciences and medicine, and most of the coauthored publications of these countries are with the United States. Denmark, with its exemplary research output, excels with maximum papers in top quartile journals and with maximum corporate collaborations and the highest FWCI.

Purpose: Due to limited data on treatment-related risk factors associated with esophageal stricture in childhood cancer survivors, this study aimed to assess such factors in long-term survivors. Methods: A case-cohort study was conducted involving 36 cases of five-year childhood cancer survivors with esophageal stricture and a sub-cohort of 540 survivors diagnosed with cancer in 1970–2007 as identified within the Nordic ‘Adult Life after Childhood Cancer in Scandinavia’ program. Individualized treatment details were retrieved from medical records. Radiation doses to each body region and average dose to the esophagus were reconstructed for patients that received radiotherapy. We used a modified Cox proportional hazard model to evaluate associations between esophageal stricture and risk factors by calculating incidence rate ratio (IRR), with 95 % confidence intervals (CIs). Results: An increased rate of esophageal stricture was found in survivors who received total body irradiation (IRR=13.7, 95 %CI 4.6–41.1), chest- and neck-directed radiotherapy (IRR=23.5, 95 %CI 8.5−64.7) and doses of ≥12 Gy to the esophagus (IRR=26.8, 95 % CI=9.0–80.3) compared to non-irradiated survivors. Treatment with chemotherapy was also associated with esophageal stricture (IRR=8.4, 95 % CI=2.9–24.4). Notably, leukemia survivors faced an elevated rate (IRR=3.8, 95 % CI 1.8–8.1) compared with survivors of CNS and other solid tumors. Conclusions: Our findings indicate an increased risk of esophageal stricture among childhood cancer survivors, with both neck- and chest-directed radiotherapy and chemotherapy as important risk factors.

Care work is shaped by the context in which it is carried out. This study explored the context, content, conditions and consequences of work in two fields of social care in Sweden: eldercare and disability services. Policy documents and statistical sources were used to analyse the context. Job content, working conditions and consequences of work were analysed using survey data collected in 2015 and 2017 in eldercare and disability services (N = 1307). The analysis of the political and economic context showed that the disability sector is characterised by a higher ambition level in legislation and funding. The survey of care workers reflected this difference: the work content differs; and the working conditions and their consequences are significantly worse for the eldercare staff than for the disability service staff. Possible explanations for these differences are discussed in terms of policy‐framing, ageist notions and unintended consequences of policy changes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this systematic scoping review, research on the inclusion of students with special education needs (SEN) in Nordic countries was reviewed to describe the scope and types of empirical research, identify the practices and approaches on the inclusion of students with SEN, and conceptually map how particular concepts (i.e., inclusion, SEN) are referred to by the authors of each study in the empirical literature. Based on a comprehensive literature search of relevant peer-reviewed articles and book chapters in three databases, 135 studies were selected as eligible in line with the a priori defined inclusion criteria. Results highlight that there still is a need to clarify perspectives on inclusion and on who needs support, and quantitative and mixed-method studies on actual practices and student outcomes including students' perspectives are needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The economisation of social policy implied the emergence of neoclassical economics as a contestant for the foundation of social policy in theory and practice. A crucial phase in this process is the emergence of the international competition state paradigm, which urges governments to cut taxes, reduce generosity and tighten eligibility criteria for social security benefits. The adoption of the competition state paradigm reversed social policy in advanced welfare states, which used to balance the injustices of capitalism through an expansion of social citizenship rights. In Nordic welfare states, such as Denmark and Finland the advance of the competition state paradigm resulted in a clash with the constitution, which seeks to guarantee a minimum standard of living for all citizens. The economisation and subsequent reversal of the purpose of social policy was followed by increasing social inequality and a more general development characterised by a series of crises in the areas of economy, health, politics, environment, security, and global mobility. A seed of this development is endogenous, or internal, in other words, and lies in the representation of the human being associated with neoclassical economics and the competition state paradigm, according to which the pleasure-seeking human being is a potential free-rider and lazy idler in need of subordination and control. The article distinguishes between exogenous (or external) and endogenous (or internal) aspects of welfare state change and highlights our role as citizens and academics in both creating and resolving challenges related to societal development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The inability of Nordic governments to coordinate their COVID-19 pandemic responses on social distancing and travel restrictions has puzzled observers and raised concerns for the future of Nordic cooperation. However, little academic attention has been directed so far to the collective Nordic response to the pandemic. In the first comprehensive account of Nordic health coordination and cooperation during the pandemic, this article investigates a paradox: how did one of the oldest regional units in Europe, with the current ambition of becoming the “most sustainable and integrated region in the world in 2030”, become one of the most inconsistent and divided once the pandemic hit? This paper argues that the recent developments have roots in the overall decline of the Nordic regional model. Increasingly based on broad commitments and informal coordination, Nordic solidarity has shown its limits in a time of crisis – leaving the Nordic project on the brink of marginalisation between the domestic and European levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study explores the complexities of cost behavior in the textile industry, conducting a comparative analysis between firms in the Nordic countries and Spain. Our main goal is to examine how distinct economic and corporate governance models impact the cost management strategies of textile firms. Utilizing a panel dataset from the Orbis database covering the years 2017 to 2022, we reveal significant differences in cost stickiness between these regions. Notably, Nordic textile firms demonstrate a stronger tendency toward cost stickiness compared to their Spanish counterparts. This difference is largely attributed to the Nordic textile firms' more cautious approach to adjusting costs in response to decreases in revenue, potentially motivated by a commitment to sustainability, eco-friendly technologies, and long-term business success. Our analysis not only highlights the complex interaction between the global challenges confronting the textile sector and the unique economic and governance environments but also maps out how these elements shape cost management strategies. By offering insights to both academics and practitioners, this study advocates for a comprehensive cost management approach, capable of navigating demand volatilities and strategic complexities faced by textile firms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Nordic welfare model is often used as an example for the promotion of health and wellbeing, even in vulnerable groups of children, such as refugees. Nonetheless, there are no published reviews on resilience and/or risk and protective factors for physical and mental health among refugee children living in Nordic countries. In this systematic review, we identified 5181 studies on the topic, screened titles, and abstracts, viewed 632, and finally included 26 studies. These studies described 18 samples with a total of 34,080 individuals ranging in ages 0–18 years. Overall, the studies were of good quality. Nearly all studies assessed adversity. Six studies reported physical health outcomes and all studies mental health outcomes, most often post-traumatic stress disorder and anxiety. None explicitly studied resilience. While we found that age and sex are the most frequently studied risk- and protective factors, findings are inconclusive, since the direction of the associations was different in the different studies. This systematic review indicates that there is still a need for well-designed and -powered studies using clear definitions of key study concepts to examine health outcomes and resilience among refugee children in Nordic countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To explore the Nordic municipal health and care services' ability to promote principal goals within care for older people during the COVID-19 pandemic. Two surveys were conducted among managers of municipal health care services for older people in Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden; the first around 6 months into the pandemic (survey 1), and the second around 12 months later (survey 2). Data were analysed through descriptive statistics, and multiple regression (OLS). 1470 (survey 1, 2020) and 745 (survey 2, 2021) managers. 32% in home care, 51% in nursing homes, 17% combined. In all countries the pandemic seems to have had more negative impact on eldercare services' ability to promote an active and social life, than on the ability to promote or enhance older people's mental and physical health. The regression analysis indicates that different factors influence the ability to promote these goals. Managers within nursing homes reported reduced ability to promote mental and physical health and an active social life to a significantly lower degree than managers of home care. The effect of three prevention strategies (lock down, testing, and/or organisational change), were explored. Organisational change (reorganize staff and practice, restrict use of substitutes) tended to impact the units' ability to promote a social life in a positive direction, while lock down (areas, buffets etc) tended to impact both the ability to promote mental/physical health and a social life in a negative direction. Measures that can improve opportunities for an active and social life during a pandemic should have high priority, particularily within home care. It is important to learn from how the COVID-19 outbreak in 2020 affected the municipal health and care services' ability to achieve principal goals within care for older people. The pandemic had a more negative impact on the services' ability to promote an active and social life, than on their ability to promote or enhance mental and physical health. Measures that can improve opportunities for an active and social life during a pandemic situation should have high priority, particularily within home-based care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: In the 21st century, there has been a decline in alcohol use among adolescents in most Nordic countries, while trends of cannabis use have diverged. We explore how alcohol and cannabis use, respectively, and co‐use of the two substances, have changed among Nordic adolescents. Three hypotheses are used to frame the study: (i) cannabis use has substituted alcohol use; (ii) there has been a parallel decline in both substances; and/or (iii) there has been a 'hardening' of users, implying that alcohol users increasingly use cannabis. Methods: Data from the European School Survey Project on Alcohol and Other Drugs, conducted among 15‐ to 16‐year‐olds in Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden (N = 74,700, 49% boys), were used to explore trends of past‐year alcohol and cannabis use in the period 2003–2019. Results: The proportion of adolescents reporting alcohol use decreased significantly in all Nordic countries except Denmark. The proportion of those using cannabis only was low (0.0%–0.7%) and stable in all countries. The total number of substance use occasions declined among all adolescents in all countries but Denmark. Among alcohol users, cannabis use became increasingly prevalent in all countries but Denmark. Discussion and Conclusions: We found no support for the 'parallel decline hypothesis' in alcohol and cannabis use among Nordic adolescents. Partially in line with the 'substitution hypothesis', cannabis use accounted for an increasing proportion of all substance use occasions. Our results suggests that the co‐use of alcohol and cannabis has become more common, thus also providing support to the 'hardening' hypothesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: To outline the organisation and responsibility for health and social care provided to older people in Denmark, Finland and Sweden. Methods: Non-quantifiable data on the care systems were collated from the literature and expert consultations. The responsibilities for primary healthcare, specialised healthcare, prevention and health promotion, rehabilitation, and social care were presented in relation to policy guidance, funding and organisation. Results: In all three countries, the state issues policy and to some extent co-funds the largely decentralised systems; in Denmark and Sweden the regions and municipalities organise the provision of care services – a system that is also about to be implemented in Finland to improve care coordination and make access more equal. Care for older citizens focuses to a large extent on enabling them to live independently in their own homes. Conclusions: Decentralised care systems are challenged by considerable local variations, possibly jeopardising care equity. State-level decision and policy makers need to be aware of these challenges and monitor developments to prevent further health and social care disparities in the ageing population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Voluntary National Reviews (VNR) have become a valuable instrument for states to share their experiences in the implementation of the Sustainable Development Agenda. VNRs provide useful information on implementation gaps and opportunities, as well as a country's understandings of sustainability over time. Considering the strong overlap between the 2030 Sustainability Agenda and human rights, states should consider the later in their elaboration of VNRs. This article proposes a comparative study of Denmark, Finland, Norway, and Sweden's VNRs to clarify whether and how human rights considerations are integrated into their SDG implementation reporting. The research highlights the existence of silos between some SDGs and internationally recognised human rights, but also points to some strongly consolidated synergies. It also addresses conceptual and policy mismatches, and the key role that civil society and the private sector play bridging human rights and sustainability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The research project examines the coexistence methods between the Nordic nations and the Sámi, the indigenous people of the northern part of the Scandinavian Peninsula and large parts of the Kola Peninsula. Despite their population spreading across Sweden, Norway, Finland, and Russia, the Sámi have struggled to maintain pride in their culture as they attempt to assimilate with the broader population. This study sheds light on the ongoing challenges, position, and treatment of the Sámi people, utilizing ethnographic research methods, document analysis, chronology, publication study, and source criticism. By employing comparative methods and counterfactual analysis, the research addresses key questions regarding the Sámi’s cultural preservation and societal integration. Its findings serve scholars, non-governmental organizations, and the general public interested in similar topics, providing valuable insights into the experiences of ethnic minorities in the Nordic countries and broader Europe. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]