Ministry of Health and Social Affairs

The Ministry of Health and Social Affairs is responsible for issues concerning social welfare, such as public health, health care and care of older people. The Ministry’s area of responsibility also includes social insurance, which provides financial security to people when they are sick or elderly, or when children are young. Issues concerning individual and family care, support for people with disabilities and care of the elderly are also included. The Ministry also works on rights for people with disabilities and on issues related to the premium pension system. It is also responsible for issues concerning sport, youth policy, civil society, faith communities and burial and cremation services.

Responsible ministers

Jakob Forssmed Minister for Social Affairs and Public Health
Acko Ankarberg Johansson Minister for Health Care
Camilla Waltersson Grönvall Minister for Social Services
Anna Tenje Minister for Older People and Social Security

News from Ministry of Health and Social Affairs

  • Minister for Health Care raised important health care issues for the EU at World Health Assembly

    • Ten women and men gathered for a photo session

      A few of the health ministers gathered. Swedish Minister for Health Care Acko Ankarberg Johansson in the center.

      Photo: Sofia Ireståhl/The Government Offices of Sweden

    • Photo: Sofia Ireståhl/The Government Offices of Sweden

    • About one hundred men and women gathered on stairs in front of monumental building.

      All the the health ministers gathered ahead of the opening of the WHA.

      Photo: Sofia Ireståhl/The Government Offices of Sweden

    The theme of this year’s World Health Assembly (WHA) was the World Health Organization (WHO) at 75 and the work it does. Representing the EU and its Member States, Minister for Health Care Acko Ankarberg Johansson took part on the first two days (21–22 May).

  • Access to medicinal products in focus at informal meeting of health ministers

    Minister for Health Care Acko Ankarberg Johansson greets Stella Kyriakides, European Commissioner for Health and Food Safety
    Minister for Health Care Acko Ankarberg Johansson greets Stella Kyriakides, European Commissioner for Health and Food Safety, at the opening of the Informal EPSCO on 5 May. Photo: Josefine Stenersen/Regeringskansliet

    EU health ministers met in Stockholm on 5 May at an informal ministerial meeting to discuss challenges related to securing access to medicinal products in times of crises. Other topics included daily work in healthcare and how EU Member States can further strengthen the accessibility and affordability of medicines.

  • Discussions on labour market transition and sustainability of social security systems

    Anna Tenje is hosting the Epsco meeting
    Minister for Older People and Security Anna Tenje at the meeting with the Ministers for Employment and Social Affairs (EPSCO) Photo: Johannes Frandsen/Government Offices

    On 3–4 May, EU employment and social affairs ministers met to discuss how labour market transitions affect skills supply in the EU, and how an aging population affects social security systems.

Minister for Social Services Camilla Waltersson Grönvall and President Zelenskyy’s wife, Olena Zelenska
Minister for Social Services Camilla Waltersson Grönvall and President Zelenskyy’s wife, Olena Zelenska Photo: Anton Kulakowskiy

Minister for Social Services Camilla Waltersson Grönvall visits Ukraine

On Thursday 20 April, Minister for Social Services Camilla Waltersson Grönvall visited the Ukrainian capital, Kyiv, where she met President Zelenskyy’s wife, Olena Zelenska, and representatives of the Ukrainian Government. At the meeting, they discussed how children have been affected by Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

Minister for Social Affairs and Public Health Jakob Forssmed.
Minister for Social Affairs and Public Health Jakob Forssmed. Photo: Johannes Frandsen/Government offices

Engaging discussions on action to combat the silent pandemic

The high-level meeting on antimicrobial resistance (AMR) within the framework of the Swedish Presidency of the Council of the European Union was held on 6–7 March outside Stockholm. Over 140 high-level delegates from EU and EEA countries, organisations and institutions participated in discussions and panels on the threat to people’s health and how the EU can support global efforts to combat the spread of AMR, also known as the ‘silent pandemic’.

Ulf Kristersson, Prime Minister  Camilla Waltersson Grönvall, Minister for Social Services  Gunnar Strömmer, Minister for Justice
Ulf Kristersson, Prime Minister Camilla Waltersson Grönvall, Minister for Social Services Gunnar Strömmer, Minister for Justice Photo: Ninni Andersson/Government Offices

Government taking strong action against disinformation and rumour-spreading campaign

Since December 2021, disinformation has been spread concerning Swedish social services taking Muslim children into care without a legal basis. According to the Swedish Psychological Defence Agency, there are no indications that the campaign will cease in the near future. Social services employees are being threatened and, in the worst case scenario, this risks leading to children in Sweden not receiving the social support to which they are entitled. The Government is now taking several measures to counteract the disinformation that is being disseminated.

Photo of Anna Tenje on a stage
Minister for Older People and Social Security, Anna Tenje. Photo: Johannes Frandsen/Government Offices

Active and autonomous ageing in focus at high-level meeting

Demographic changes in Europe are having an immense impact on our societies and entail challenges, not least for the labour market, pension systems and an increased need for health and social care. The Swedish Presidency has invited EU Member States and other actors to a high-level meeting on active and autonomous ageing, 13 –14 February, where they will discuss how to tackle the issues related to Europe’s ageing population. Minister for Older People and Social Security Anna Tenje will host the conference. Among the participants will be the Estonian Minister of Social Protection, the Danish Minister for Senior Citizens, and the Minister for Active Ageing from Malta.

Content from the Ministry of Health and Social Affairs

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