Joined the programme in 2020
Cities for Better Health in Malmö is focused on addressing the significant differences in the prevalence of type 2 diabetes across communities, paying particular attention to the socioeconomic and cultural factors that make some communities in this multicultural city more vulnerable.
In recent years, the diabetes problem in the city has grown significantly; between 2011 and 2018, the prevalence of type 2 diabetes in Malmö doubled.1 While the average prevalence of type 2 diabetes in the city is 4.3%, there are considerable differences between neighbourhoods ranging from 2.6% to 6.4%2.
Key facts and figures
2011 - 2018
The prevalence of type 2 diabetes doubled in Malmö1
4.3%
of adults in Malmö are living with diabetes1
1 in 6
preschool student is either overweight or obese1
186
nationalities represented among its inhabitants3
Mapping by Cities for Better Health in Malmö revealed that prevalence is associated with socioeconomic status. The highest prevalence of type 2 diabetes occurs in an area with a lower income level and a lower level of education. The rising condition has driven the increase in type 2 diabetes among the younger population in recent years.
A whole-system approach to tackling diabetes
Having mapped diabetes in the city, Cities for Better Health in Malmö has created three collaborative workstreams and working groups - representing all local stakeholders - to take a whole-system approach to children and adults at risk for developing diabetes and diabetes-related complications. This cross-collaborative working model has allowed for in-depth discussions about feasible intervention ideas.
The proposals range from communicating healthy habits to young children and introducing health promotion in the training of teachers to initiating programmes that take a more structured approach to the care of newly diagnosed diabetes patients. Intervention ideas are currently being designed for implementation and evaluation.
"The causes of diabetes are complex and interlinked. That means that knowledge and experience sharing in partnerships such as Cities for Better Health is crucial in addressing many of the modifiable social and environmental factors that lead to obesity and diabetes. This work can also be strongly linked to Malmö City's focus on sustainable development within the framework of Agenda 2030."
— Katrin Jammeh, Mayor of Malmö
Cities for Better Health Malmö. Mapping Synopsis. 2021. https://www.skane.se/siteassets/organisation_politik/publikationer_dokument/synopsis-ccd-mapping.pdf
Rämgård M, Zdravkovic S, Grahn M, Schölin T, Nagorny Holmberg C, Annersten Gershater M. Inequalities in diabetes type 2 prevalence in the multicultural city Malmö, Sweden. European Journal of Public Health. 2021;31(Supplement_3)doi:10.1093/eurpub/ckab165.249
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