Lecturer and course manager, Global health in a changing world, graduate level (MSc), Stockholm University

Lecturer and course manager, Social inequalities in health, gradulate level (MSc), Stockholm University

Guest lecturer in graduate level (MSc and PhD) courses at Stockholm University and Karolinksa Institutet 

A selection from Stockholm University publication database

• A matter of measurement? A Swedish register-based study of migrant residential segregation and all-cause mortality

  2025. Agneta Cederström, Andrea Dunlavy. SSM - Population Health 30

  Article

  Background

  In recent decades, Sweden has become an increasingly diverse society by origin, but one in which residential segregation by migrant background has also increased. This study examines how different aspects of migrant residential segregation are associated with all-cause mortality among native-born and migrant populations.

  Methods Using Swedish population-based registers, this longitudinal open cohort study assessed associations between four local level indices of migrant residential segregation and all-cause mortality among adult migrant and native-born residents of Sweden's three largest metropolitan areas (Stockholm, Gothenburg, and Malmö) between 2004 and 2016. Multilevel Poisson regression models, adjusted for individual-level sociodemographic and socioeconomic factors as well as area-level socioeconomic conditions, were used to estimate associations between these indices and all-cause mortality.

  Results

  Moderate decreased mortality risks were observed among migrants in residential areas with higher levels of migrant density, isolation, and exposure in fully adjusted models. However, isolation and exposure effects could not be distinguished due to a high degree of correlation between the isolation and exposure measures. In fully adjusted models mortality gradients were largely unobserved among native-born individuals in relation to migrant residential segregation. The evenness dimension of segregation showed limited relevance for mortality risk in both groups.

  Conclusions

  This study provides evidence that higher migrant density is associated with lower mortality risks among migrants, suggesting that residential areas with higher proportions of migrants may offer health benefits for migrants. These findings highlight the importance of residential contexts in shaping migrant health outcomes.

  Read more about A matter of measurement? A Swedish register-based study of migrant residential segregation and all-cause mortality

• Hazardous drinking by age at migration and duration of residence among migrants in Sweden

  2025. Lisa Berg (et al.). Drug and Alcohol Review 44 (2), 480-490

  Article

  Introduction: Sweden, with its history of restrictive alcohol policies and a large and diverse migrant population, constitutes an interesting context for studies on alcohol consumption patterns in migrant groups. This study examines how hazardous drinking among migrants in Sweden varies by origin, duration of residence and age at migration.

  Methods: Pooled cross-sectional survey data from the Västra Götaland region of Sweden, collected in 2011 and 2015, were linked to register data containing demo-graphic, socioeconomic and migration-related factors (i.e., country of birth, duration of residence, age at migration), for 7754 migrants and 68,493 Swedish-born individuals aged 18–84 years. Logistic regression analyses were applied to estimate odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for hazardous drinking, identified by the validated Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test.

  Results: Relative to Swedish-born individuals, migrants from other Nordic countries had higher odds of hazardous drinking (OR 1.45, 95% CI 1.18–1.77), while migrants from other European (OR 0.55, 95% CI 0.44–0.69) and non-European (OR 0.25, 95% CI 0.20–0.31) countries showed lower likelihoods. Among non-Nordic migrants in particular, hazardous drinking was more common among those with a longer duration of residence and those who migrated at pre-school ages.

  Discussion and Conclusions: Hazardous drinking among non-Nordic migrants increasingly resembled that of the Swedish-born population over time, aligning with findings in less restrictive alcohol policy contexts. Understanding how drinking patterns vary among migrant groups over time and across policy contexts is essential for developing effective public health strategies to reduce hazardous consumption and associated health and social harms.

  Read more about Hazardous drinking by age at migration and duration of residence among migrants in Sweden

• Health before pregnancy and eligibility for parental leave benefits: a Swedish total population cohort study

  2025. Amy Heshmati (et al.). BMC Public Health 25

  Article

  Background  Parental leave generosity is protective for mothers’ mental health in the postpartum period and beyond. Strong work requirements exist for parents in Sweden to receive more generous benefits which might penalise individuals who, due to poor health, have a weak labour market attachment. The aim of the study was to examine whether mothers with poor health prior to pregnancy are less likely to be eligible for more generous benefits in Sweden.

  Methods  We used total population registers to study first-time mothers, aged 25–45 years, who were resident in Sweden and gave birth between 1 January 2009 and 30 September 2013 (n = 151,452). We used logistic regression to examine the association between health one and two consecutive years prior to pregnancy (to assess chronicity) and eligibility for earnings-related parental leave benefits.

  Results  Mothers who were admitted to hospital or received specialist outpatient care for any health condition in the year prior to pregnancy were less likely to be eligible for earnings-related benefits (OR 0·79, 95%CI 0·76–0·83) compared to healthy mothers, particularly those with chronic health issues (OR 0·64, 95%CI 0·62–0·68). Findings were driven by mothers with mental disorders (OR 0·22, 95%CI 0·20–0·23 for the year before pregnancy), and associations were stronger for those with chronic health issues and for Swedish-born mothers.

  Conclusion  Mothers with prior health conditions, particularly mental disorders, are less likely to benefit from the protective health effect of parental leave as they may not meet the eligibility requirements for more generous remunerations. This study highlights how the strong work requirement for accessing generous parental leave benefits could unintentionally exacerbate socioeconomic inequalities between mothers with and without poor mental health. Easing work requirements for eligibility to more generous parental leave remuneration could help reduce these inequalities and thus promote better mental health for all, particularly among more disadvantaged groups. As such, our findings empirically support the need for adopting the Health in All Policies framework when designing parental leave policies in order to minimise health inequalities.

  Read more about Health before pregnancy and eligibility for parental leave benefits

• Labor market disadvantages and mental health among the second-generation children of immigrants in Sweden: A population cohort study

  2025. Wooseong Kim (et al.). Social Science and Medicine 371

  Article

  Children of immigrants born in the host country–the second generation (G2)–face higher risks of unemployment and overqualification compared to the majority native population in Western Europe. While the health effects of unemployment and overqualification are well documented, it remains unclear whether these factors impact the mental health of the G2 in the same way as in the majority population. This study uses Swedish register data to examine the association between different labor market disadvantages, i.e., unemployment and overqualification, and mental health outcomes among the G2 and the majority population. The outcome was measured as time to the first prescription of psychotropic medications (anxiolytics, sedatives, hypnotics, and antidepressants). Descriptive findings showed that psychotropic prescription rates are higher among G2 groups compared to the majority population. Cox proportional hazards models, adjusted for demographic and socioeconomic factors, indicated that unemployment similarly impacts mental health across origin groups, suggesting that being unemployed does not contribute to the mental health inequality between the G2 and the majority population. G2 individuals, especially G2 European individuals, showed higher risks of psychotropic prescriptions across all employment types. These findings imply that improving the labor market position is not sufficient to address mental health inequalities between the G2 and the majority population.

  Read more about Labor market disadvantages and mental health among the second-generation children of immigrants in Sweden

Show all publications by Andrea Dunlavy at Stockholm University