Sundhedsbehov

Sundhedsbehov is the Danish term for health needs, referring to the requirements for health-related care and support necessary to maintain or improve health and well-being. It includes preventive, curative, rehabilitative, and palliative services, and applies to both individuals and populations. The concept recognizes that needs are not identical to use of services: some people may have unexpressed needs, while others may receive care that does not fully align with what would be optimal.

Needs can be categorized as felt (perceived by individuals), expressed (demand for services), normative (defined by professional standards), and assessed (identified through systematic evaluation). Determining sundhedsbehov involves considering clinical, social, and behavioral factors that influence health, as well as the capacity of the health system to respond.

Determinants include age and health status, chronic disease burden, socioeconomic position, geographic location, cultural expectations, and health literacy. Population aging, rising prevalence of non-communicable diseases, and inequalities in access shape overall care requirements.

Assessment methods combine epidemiological indicators (mortality, morbidity, life expectancy), burden of disease measures (DALYs), service utilization data, and population surveys, along with projections and health technology assessments. These approaches aim to identify gaps between current provision and estimated needs.

In policy and planning, sundhedsbehov guides capacity planning, priority setting, and resource allocation to improve equity and universal coverage. It supports targeted interventions for high-need groups and adapts to changes in technology and demographics. Challenges include data quality, methodological differences, and balancing individual and societal values when responding to needs.