sjuklighet

Sjuklighet is a term used in Scandinavian languages to denote the state or condition of being ill or unhealthy. It encompasses the presence of symptoms, chronic conditions, or impairments that affect an individual's ability to function. The term is distinct from sjukdom (disease) in that sjuklighet emphasizes overall health status and functional impact rather than a specific medical diagnosis. The word arises from the stem 'sjuk' meaning sick and the suffix '-lighet' indicating a state or quality.

In public health and epidemiology, sjuklighet is used to describe population-level health status, often as a complement to measures of mortality, incidence, and disease prevalence. It can be assessed through self-rated health surveys, questions about days of illness, or studies of disability and activity limitation. Because it includes subjective components, measurements can vary by culture, age, and socioeconomic status.

Societal and policy implications: sjuklighet influences social insurance, sickness benefits, and work capacity assessments. High reported sjuklighet can reflect underlying determinants such as working conditions, mental health, access to care, and lifestyle factors. Monitoring sjuklighet helps policymakers evaluate trends in population health and the burden of illness.

Etymology: the term originates from Swedish and Norwegian roots, from 'sjuk' meaning sick and the suffix '-lighet' meaning state. See also health, illness, disease, disability, public health.