title: Social differentials in the decline of infant mortality in Sweden in the twentieth century: the impact of politics and policy.
abstract: This article describes some of the policies behind the decline of infant mortality in Sweden during the 20th century, from very high levels and large social differentials at the turn of the 19th century to one of the lowest levels in the world by 1950. Political commitment to reducing infant mortality and disparities between groups, a more equitable distribution of economic resources, and a successful combination of universal social and health policies most benefiting the least advantaged families and their children contributed to this favorable development.
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health Sciences, Division of Social Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden. bo.burstrom@smd.sll.se
authors.forename: Bo
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Burström
mesh_terms: D006291:Health Policy / Q000266:history* / Q000639:trends; D049672:History, 19th Century; D049673:History, 20th Century; D006801:Humans; D007086:Illegitimacy; D007223:Infant; D007226:Infant Mortality / Q000639:trends*; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D009313:National Health Programs; D011057:Politics; D012423:Rural Health / Q000266:history* / Q000639:trends; D012922:Social Change; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013548:Sweden / Q000453:epidemiology; D014504:Urban Health / Q000266:history* / Q000639:trends