Oskarshamn Municipality Launches Two-Year Initiative to Enhance Women's Health at Work

Oskarshamn Municipality has launched a two-year project in 2026 aimed at improving women’s health among its employees, who make up approximately 82% of the workforce. The initiative seeks to reduce sick leave, which was recorded at 6.9% among women in 2024, and to boost workplace satisfaction and gender equality within the municipality.

The project aligns with Sweden’s new social services law and the transition to "Nära vård" (Close Care), emphasizing preventive healthcare and sustainable staffing solutions. Central to the initiative is the introduction of a digital health portal, developed in partnership with Falck occupational health services, which provides all employees, regardless of gender, access to a variety of health resources. These include training materials, articles, and podcasts focused on women’s health, as well as medical health screenings analyzed by licensed professionals.

Additional support offered through the portal includes personalized health plans, three individual consultations with healthcare professionals annually, and an option for digital consultations with doctors at a patient fee. This comprehensive approach aims not only to improve attendance by 10% over two years but also to deliver personal health benefits to employees.

Research underpinning the initiative highlights that women's health is often affected by hormonal changes, lifestyle, and workplace workload—factors that have not always been adequately addressed in traditional health programs. By focusing on these areas, Oskarshamn Municipality intends to become a more attractive employer and strengthen its efforts toward gender equality.

HR manager Malin Lundgren emphasized the dual benefits of the program, noting that it is designed to increase attendance while simultaneously improving individual health outcomes. This new health initiative sets a forward-looking example of how municipalities can integrate gender-sensitive health strategies within workplace environments, supporting both public health and legal reform objectives in Sweden.