The Norwegian Public Health act and its implementation

Abstract

Norway is known for its egalitarian society – it emphasizes solidarity, universalism and redistribution of resources among social groups. However, there is a social gradient in health in Norway, which is currently experiencing increasing inequalities. Since the social gradient is related to an unjust distribution of socio-economic factors, the Norwegian government has for decades developed policies to reduce these inequalities. This aim is highlighted in the recent Public Health Act that took effect in January of 2012. The act follows the principles of health equity and the »Health in All Policies« (HiAP) approach. Following the Ottawa Charter, the Act takes into account that health is shaped by the conditions in which people live, learn, love and work. The Act aims to tackle the gradient in health by addressing the social determinants of health.