In vitro fertilization (IVF) is of great aid to couples who are struggling to conceive. The IVF clinics, where couples undergo fertility treatments, require a carefully controlled environment to ensure the effectiveness of the procedures. In recent years, IVF has seen significant progress, thanks to new technologies and methods that improve success rates and expand options for infertile couples. One notable advancement involves combining pre-implantation genetic testing (PGT) with time-lapse imaging technology, which allows continuous monitoring of embryo development with minimal disturbance. This innovation improves the selection of healthy embryos for transfer, increasing success rates and reducing the risk of multiple pregnancies. However, maintaining a stable environment remains a key challenge. Fluctuations in temperature, humidity, air quality, and particulate matter can affect IVF success rates by disrupting the embryo’s delicate environment and potentially causing implantation failure. We discuss in this position paper our approach to alleviate such environmental problems in our project EIVF-AI funded by the Swedish funding agency Vinnova.

The digitalization of health care is currently subject to extensive hype (both negative and positive), which obscures its potential to benefit humanity. Science and Technology Studies have described the computational translation of health information as “datafication,” often from a critical stance in which such technologies limit agency of patients and clinicians. Conversely, health care has long since been structured along highly unequal lines with high levels of inequity, in which parts of the population experience reduced healthcare access. In addition, there are high levels of health illiteracy, where some groups are not only unaware of their own health needs or how to access health care, but the healthcare system is itself lacking key information on the needs of those individuals. In that context, digital systems able to handle and communicate large datasets are often heralded as a solution for better connecting patients and the healthcare system within a holistic model. To help bring much-needed nuance to our understanding of digital health care, the article looks to the example of digital dental health—both implemented and potential—within Skåne in Southern Sweden, with a mix of an advanced welfare model healthcare system combined with a diverse population consisting of many foreign-born nationals. By interviewing dental professionals working in Skåne, we investigate the intersection between the theoretical arguments and the practical constraints and opportunities for digital health.

Background: High-quality diabetes care should offer personalized treatment and support self-management to reduce complications and maintain quality of life for affected persons. In Malmö, Sweden’s third-largest city, primary care treated twice as many individuals with type 2 diabetes (T2D) in 2018 compared to 2011. As the prevalence of T2D increases, healthcare services face increasing challenges. Objective: To explore experiences of contacts with diabetes care professionals among people living with T2D who are accessing diabetes care in the city of Malmö. Method: A qualitative inductive design was employed, involving interviews with 21 persons with T2D receiving diabetes care at four primary healthcare centers in Malmö. A semi-structured interview guide was used. Data were analyzed using qualitative content analysis. Result: The theme ‘Seeking room for one’s agency’ emerged from two categories that illustrate experiences with diabetes care in relation to meeting healthcare needs: ‘Importance of connecting with diabetes care professionals’ and ‘Concerns in navigating diabetes care.’ Eight subcategories describe what contact with diabetes care meant for the participants. Conclusion: The findings highlight opportunities for improving diabetes care to better meet patients’ needs. Contacts with diabetes care professionals were perceived as supportive when there was a clear intention to adapt to individual needs and when expectations and communication were transparent. Continuity with general practitioners and educational aspects were identified as unmet healthcare needs. Based on the findings of this study, efforts to a systematic and broad implementation of group-based T2D-education in Malmö are recommended.

Background: Children with migration background, living in socio-economically disadvantaged areas, are exposed to numerous risk that can negatively affect their well-being. Understanding which key factors build and enable well-being of children with these experiences are therefore essential to support and strengthen their positive development and possibilities to feel well. Studies that include children’s own perspectives and voices in initiatives that concerns them is however scarce, and there is an increased need for participation of children with diverse experiences and life situations in research and knowledge production. Therefore, the aim of this study was to, through a participatory process, explore and enhance the understanding of key factors in the social context that contribute to child well-being among children with a migration background.

Methods: Thirty-one children, aged 9–12, from three disadvantaged areas in Malmö, Sweden, participated together with researchers in a Community-Based Participatory Research (CBPR) team, exploring factors related to their well-being in their social context. Multi-stage focus groups were held over a year (2023–2024), with different sessions facilitating dialog on the research topic. In total, 49 sessions took place, each on average duration of 1.5 h. The data were analyzed using inductive thematic analysis.

Results: Four main themes, representing key factors related to child well-being, were identified: Enriching Leisure Time, Resourceful Places, Belonging to a Community and Welfare System and Rights. The themes covered structural aspects, such as school, healthcare and human rights, but also more personal dimensions, like close relations and the near environment, related to Bronfenbrenner’s ecological theory of human development.

Conclusion: The dialogs with the children provided a deeper understanding and a holistic view of the perceptions of children with migration backgrounds residing in socio-economically disadvantaged areas regarding essential factors for their well-being. Future research should focus on developing strategies that ensure children’s access to the factors they have identified as fundamental to their well-being. Our study has further shown that it is pivotal to ensure children’s inclusion and participation in health promotion initiatives. These initiatives need to be contextually relevant and work toward building community capacity, to promote child well-being.

Background: Stable housing is important for overall health and well-being among young people, and poor-quality housing can trigger multiple diseases, including infections, injuries, chronic diseases, and psychological problems. However, many young people in Sweden struggle with an unstable housing situation. It is therefore important to illuminate how health, social, and civic society professionals and volunteers see the overall health situation for young people (16–27 years) in unstable housing situations.

Method: Sixteen health, social, and civic society professionals and volunteers, from both municipal and governmental organizations and civic society, were interviewed during 2024 and were reached through convenience and purposive sampling. The data was analyzed with content analysis.

Results: The results showed that the professionals and volunteers considered that there is a lack of basic necessities, such as food and clothes and often also a place to sleep, among young people in unstable housing situations. They also recounted that the bodies of those young people are weakened as a result of the unstable situation, with its stress and lack of proper care. There are, however, challenges with regard to accessing healthcare and the young people in question are often hesitant to seek care, and inclined to avoid it. Furthermore, the participants mentioned psychosocial challenges, due to loneliness and lack of close contacts with family and friends, and said that people struggling with homelessness tend to suffer from mental illness.

Conclusion: Young people in unstable housing situations need support to stabilize them for the future, and in order to work toward a more stable housing situation for these people in the county of Scania, a holistic approach is necessary. This is crucial in view of their overall health, as well as their well-being and life satisfaction.

Introduction: Type 2 diabetes is increasing worldwide, and the trend is also observed in Sweden. In Malmö, the third largest city in Sweden, the prevalence has doubled. Populations with lower socioeconomic status have a higher prevalence and poorer outcomes, making preventive interventions targeting these groups increasingly important.

Objective: To investigate the types of interventions that have been tested and reported regarding the prevention of type 2 diabetes targeting low socioeconomic populations and are applicable in a high-income country.

Methods: Based on a systematic search strategy developed using the People, Concept, and Context model, the databases CINAHL, PubMed, and Web of Science were searched in January 2024 and updated in December 2024, and EMBASE was searched in May 2025. A flowchart of the screening process has been created. From the selected studies, data were extracted, charted, and the findings were compiled in a narrative form.

Results: Seventeen studies were included, 12 were conducted in the United States and five in Europe. Most used culturally adapted diabetes prevention programs, and a higher proportion of participants were women. Key features included flexibility in attendance and format, development through a community-based participatory approach, gender-specific groups, and the involvement of significant others. Increases of physical activity proved challenging within broader lifestyle interventions. Screening interventions were conducted in community and healthcare facility settings, as well as through a school-and community-based program. Challenges with enrollment and retention were commonly reported.

Conclusion: There is a need for more interventions in the European context and for interventions to engage more men with strategies such as male peer coaches and community screening in locations frequented by men. Longer time frames and sustained engagement strategies are necessary to reach and retain groups with low socioeconomic status in preventive type 2 diabetes interventions.

This paper draws upon the theoretical literature on migration policy and health, and empirical data on three European states with differing welfare models - Sweden (social democrat), France (conservative), and the United Kingdom (liberal) - during Covid-19, to highlight the often hidden and contradictory politics through which refugees, asylum seekers, and undocumented migrants were forced to navigate during the most uncertain period of the pandemic. Although migrants' treatment during Covid-19 was generally better in Sweden with a social democrat welfare tradition, we see migration management priorities greatly undermining the extent to which welfare systems function overall for the benefit of population health. Furthermore, Sweden's recent political shift to the right exacerbates those negative tendencies. As the paper shows, there was considerable effort by civil society and local government to fill the gap where national governments failed to protect this group, stepping in to provide health information, and support.

Introduction: The prevalence of type 2 diabetes has increased worldwide, where the highest prevalence has been found in the Eastern Mediterranean region. Effective measures must be taken to prevent or delay the occurrence of type 2 diabetes and its complications. The present study aimed to investigate the correlation between factors linked to risk for diabetes, individually and cumulatively, and established diabetes in recently arrived migrants from Iraq and Syria in Scania and compare it to the rest of the population.

Method: A cross-sectional survey was used to compare data between a sample of recently arrived migrants and a sample from the rest of the population in Scania, Sweden.

Results: The prevalence of self-reported diabetes was significantly higher among recently arrived migrants (6.9%) compared to the rest of the population (4.9%). High blood-pressure, unhealthy weight, physical inactivity, and older age increased the risk for self-reported diabetes solely but also cumulatively.

Conclusion: It is important to identify individuals with a high risk of diabetes and put preventive efforts into combating risk factors for diabetes. Targeting specific risk factors significantly reduces the risk of developing this disease.

Introduction: Mental ill-health affects young people being marginalized to a greater extent than other young people. Nevertheless, are groups being marginalized underrepresented in health research and practice. Several models regarding youth participation have been developed, but knowledge is still lacking on how health promotion practitioners can equitably involve young people when developing health promotion efforts.

Aim: This study aims to (1) describe how participatory action research was used to develop a model for practitioners to equitably involve young people in mental health promotion initiatives and (2) present the finalized model, Steps Towards Justice.

Methods: Through a participatory action research approach, a group of practitioners constructed a model for an equitable involvement of young people in mental health promotion. The model was developed further together with focus groups of practitioners and young people.

Results: The finalized model consists of three phases: preparing, conducting, and applying, with different steps of action to be taken in each phase. To identify inclusion and exclusion, practitioners need to be critical and aware of their own prejudice and values throughout the process. The practice of involving young people equitably also includes creating safe spaces and valuing young people of different backgrounds equally in their contribution to mental health promotion.

Conclusion: The model can be useful for practitioners wanting to involve young people when planning and conducting mental health promotion, for instance at schools or youth centers. It can foster the process of critical reflection around equitable practices and taking steps toward justice through concrete actions of involvement, moving beyond a vague discourse of “everyone is welcome.”

AIM: This study aimed to understand the variety of nurse educators' conceptions of nursing students' collaboration in clinical skills lab activities.

BACKGROUND: Collaborative learning has gained attention in nurse education as an educational approach that supports learning and professional development. However, research is deficient concerning nurse educators in faculty-based education and their conceptions of student collaboration.

METHOD: The study adopted a phenomenographic approach. A purposeful sampling of nurse educators teaching in a skills lab setting was conducted at five universities in Sweden. Individual interviews with sixteen nurse educators were performed between November 2023 and February 2024. The interviews were analysed following phenomenographic procedures.

RESULTS: Four different description categories were identified: the purpose of collaboration, the didactic activities for collaboration, the student's intrapersonal skills, and the group activity skills. The outcome space presents the purpose of collaboration as the most complex descriptive category.

CONCLUSION: The educational purpose of collaboration should be settled by the faculty of nurse education and aligned to the collaborative requirements in the nursing profession. Introducing didactic activities specifically contextualized to the nursing profession and including peer observations and feedback in a formative manner may facilitate the development of collaboration.