Smittskyddsinstitutet

Smittskyddsinstitutet, often abbreviated as SMI, was a Swedish government agency responsible for public health and infectious disease control. It was established to prevent and control the spread of infectious diseases within Sweden. The institute played a crucial role in monitoring disease outbreaks, conducting research, and providing expert advice to the government and healthcare system. SMI was involved in a wide range of activities, including vaccination programs, antibiotic resistance surveillance, and laboratory diagnostics. It also contributed to international efforts in disease prevention and control. The agency's work aimed to protect the health of the Swedish population by ensuring effective measures were in place to combat infectious agents. In 2015, Smittskyddsinstitutet was merged with the Swedish Institute for Infectious Disease Control to form the Public Health Agency of Sweden (Folkhälsomyndigheten). This merger aimed to create a more integrated and comprehensive public health authority, combining the expertise and resources of both former institutions to address the evolving public health challenges in Sweden. The legacy of SMI continues within the structure of the Public Health Agency, which carries forward its mission of safeguarding public health.