“No one can choose the circumstances into which they are born”

Ylva B Almquist, professor of Public Health Sciences at the Department of Public Health Sciences. Photo: Rickard Kilström

“My research is about health inequalities with a particular focus on the importance of childhood living conditions for the chances of a long and healthy life. Above all, I am interested in both risk and protective factors linked to two of the most important contexts during upbringing: family and school.”

Why this particular subject?

“Some people manage really well in life, while others do much worse. I have always been eager to understand why it happens that way. If part of the answer has to do with the childhood living conditions, I think it reflects a deep injustice, because no one can choose the circumstances into which they are born.”

How does your research contribute to society?

“I hope that my research contributes to emphasizing the importance of societal investment in children and young people. It is not uncommon for children who fare poorly to become adults who fare poorly. There is ample opportunity to counteract this, although it will most likely require coordinated efforts across multiple policy domains.”

What has been most exciting so far?

“In one of our studies, we show that children growing up in societal care, for example foster homes, on average live a decade shorter than other children. But among those who successfully completed compulsory school, this difference in life expectancy does not exist. We interpret this as a huge inherent potential of the educational system to improve the life chances of these children.”

This year's Inauguration and conferment ceremony in the Stockholm City Hall will take place on 29 September 2023. Photo: Ingmarie Andersson

Inauguration and Conferment ceremony in the City Hall

Ylva B Almquist is one of the new professors who were employed during 1 July 2022 – 30 June 2023. All new professors who took office during this period are invited to the Inauguration and conferment ceremony in the Stockholm City Hall 29 September 2023. The professorial installation is the occasion when the new professors are welcomed to the university and their different subject areas are brought to attention.