Cross-sectoral cooperation at the ministerial level –with afocus on health inequalities : A qualitative study in three Nordic countries

Abstract

Differences in health between social groups have increased in the Nordic countries during the last decades. Therefore, the governments have initiated a number of reforms. Yet, the health gap is still increasing. Lack of cooperation between different governmental departments might be an explanation. Our new study shows, however, that cross-sectoral cooperation is working well. The main problem might instead be a lack of comprehensive and effective measures. The purpose of this qualitative study was to assess the extent of cross-sectoral cooperation at the national ministerial level, with focus on reducing health inequalities and to identify factors that might promote or hinder such cooperation