Hälsogrupper

Hälsogrupper are groups focused on health and well-being. The term combines the Swedish words for health (hälsa) and group (grupp), and refers to organized or informal collections of people who share health goals or conditions. In practice, hälsogrupper can form around disease management, health education, or broader wellness aims, and they may meet regularly in person or online.

In public health and social care contexts in Sweden and similar systems, hälsogrupper are used to increase health literacy, promote physical activity, support chronic condition management, and disseminate reliable information. Groups may be initiated by healthcare professionals, municipalities, patient organizations, schools, or workplaces, and are typically facilitated by nurses, health educators, social workers, or trained volunteers.

Activities within hälsogrupper vary but often include educational sessions, peer support, exercise or activity sessions, cooking demonstrations, screenings, and information about vaccination or mental health. They can provide practical skills, motivation, and social networks that help participants adopt healthier behaviors.

Benefits of hälsogrupper can include improved health outcomes, greater self-efficacy, and enhanced access to information. Challenges may involve accessibility, language and cultural barriers, privacy considerations, and the need for trained facilitators. Digital formats can broaden reach but may also exclude some groups.

Hälsogrupper are distinguished from formal patient associations by their focus on health promotion and peer support rather than solely on advocacy. They are part of broader strategies for community health, health education, and preventive care.