International cooperation in public health
The Public Health Agency of Sweden is tasked with monitoring, reporting and actively participating in public health work within the EU and internationally. Cooperation takes place primarily through the various EU institutions, the World Health Organisation (WHO), and other UN bodies within the agency’s mandate.
Nordic cooperation is an important part of the collaboration with other countries. In the field of infection control, there is extensive cooperation with the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC). The Agency is also contributing to the implementation of Sweden’s international development cooperation within global health, focusing on capacity building through collaboration with public health institutes and organisations in low- and middle-income countries.
Sida (The Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency) and the Public Health Agency of Sweden have entered into a strategic agreement to strengthen cooperation in global health and international development cooperation. Beyond that agreement we have specific agreements with Sida on support to sister agencies, mainly in Sub-Saharan Africa.
Specific assignments
The Public Health Agency of Sweden has a specific commission towards the EU regarding serious cross-border threats to public health. In addition, the Agency acts as the national focal point for, among others:
- European Union Drugs Agency (EUDA).
- European Union Health Programme,Non-communicable diseases (NCD) within the EU and WHO European Region.
- Health-enhancing physical activity (HEPA) within the EU and WHO European Region.
- WHO Europe Environment and Health Programme (EHP).
- Expert Committee on Drug Dependence (ECDD) within WHO.
We also have a number of other assignments, such as coordinating and providing input to the government's reporting to the EU and WHO on issues relating to alcohol and tobacco, and reporting on issues relating to drugs to the UN Office on Drugs and Crime, UNODC. Another assignment is to coordinate the follow-up of Sweden's commitments based on the UN resolution on HIV/AIDS.
Within the framework of the WHO's work on polio eradication, we monitor the incidence of poliovirus in Sweden. We also provide data for the government's reporting to the WHO on the incidence of rubella and measles in Sweden.
Other international public health work
The Public Health Agency of Sweden also contributes to international public health work by participating in various expert and working groups and networks. The Agency's Director General is a member of the global network organisation IANPHI, which consists of national public health institutes all over the world.
The International Association of National Public Health Institutes (ianphi.org)
The Agency also participates in the European network EuroHealthNet, which aims to contribute to more sustainable societies and counteract health inequalities within and between EU Member States.