åtgärd

Åtgärd is a Swedish noun that denotes an action taken or a measure designed to achieve a particular purpose, remedy a problem, or influence a process. It can refer to concrete steps, interventions, or policy instruments, and is used across domains such as public administration, healthcare, business, and law.

The word derives from the verb åtgärda, meaning to remedy or to take corrective action. The basic singular form is en åtgärd; the plural is åtgärder. Common related terms include förebyggande åtgärder (preventive measures), nödåtgärder (emergency measures), and åtgärdsprogram (measure program).

In government and public policy, åtgärd describes initiatives intended to solve or mitigate problems, ranging from regulatory actions to funding programs. In healthcare, an åtgärd can be a treatment, a preventive intervention, or an administrative action. In business and project management, it refers to steps or actions planned to reach objectives, improve performance, or close gaps.

The term emphasizes action and result rather than just planning. It is used with qualifiers to specify scope and duration, such as tillfälliga åtgärder (temporary measures) or långsiktiga åtgärder (long-term measures).

See also: åtgärdsprogram, förebyggande åtgärder, nödåtgärder.