Strict Danes or relaxed Swedes? Comparing health and daily activities in Sweden and Denmark during the Covid-19 pandemic

Aims: Amidst the Covid-19 outbreak in 2020, Denmark and Sweden adopted contrasting strategies despite their many cultural similarities. Denmark swiftly imposed strict governmental restrictions, while Sweden favoured a more gradual, voluntary approach. This study aims to analyse the disparities between the two nations in mental health indicators (depressive symptoms, sleep problems and loneliness), daily activities (shopping, going for a walk, visiting family and meeting other people) and medical care after the Covid-19 outbreak.

Methods: Data from adults aged ⩾50 years in the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe (SHARE) wave 8 (2019/2020) and the two SHARE Covid-19 surveys (summer 2020/2021) were utilised. Multilevel logistic regression models assessed longitudinal and cross-sectional changes in Sweden and Denmark.

Results: Both countries witnessed reduced risk of depressive symptoms and sleep problems during summer 2020, albeit with a more significant decline in depressive symptoms observed in Denmark: 17.8% (95% confidence interval (CI) 15.0-20.6) vs. 12.5% (95% CI 9.0-15.9). Swedish respondents were more likely to reduce their daily activities in the summer of 2020 (shopping: odds ratio (OR)=0.45, 95% CI 0.36-0.55; visit family: OR=0.76, 95% CI 0.60-0.97) and less likely to have medical appointments postponed (OR=1.83, 95% CI 1.46-2.28).

Conclusions: Minimal differences were observed between Sweden and Denmark in mental health and daily activities during the pandemic. Despite significant disruption to their daily routines, Scandinavians aged ⩾50 years old demonstrate remarkable resilience.