The self-reported health of the Sámi in Sweden: the SámiHET study

BACKGROUND: The Sámi are an ethnic minority and the only Indigenous people in the European Union. Population-based health studies among Sámi in Sweden are scarce and outdated. The aim of this study was to analyse the ethnic, Sámi vs. non-Sámi, health differences among men and women living in Sweden. METHODS: This study combined two data sources: the national Health on Equal Terms (HET) survey and a similar study conducted among the Sámi population, the SámiHET study, both carried out during spring 2021. Twelve outcomes were used to capture different aspects of the population’s health organized along four dimensions: general health, physical health, mental health and lifestyle behaviours. Prevalence ratios, adjusted for age, civil status, education and income, were used as the measure of effect with 95% confidence intervals to provide inference. Analyses were disaggregated by sex. RESULTS: The prevalence of poor self-rated dental health (and chronically ill health among men), asthma and overweight were higher among the Sámi; however, the mental health outcomes were similar or lower among the Sámi participants. The Sámi ate less vegetables and fruits, but they were smoking and drinking alcohol less than the national Swedish population. These patterns were similar among both men and women. CONCLUSION: Poor self-rated dental health, asthma, overweight and a low consumption of vegetables and fruits were a concern among the Sámi population in both men and women. These areas therefore require specific targeted interventions to decrease the observed ethnic health inequalities in Sweden. The design of this study opens the possibility for continuous monitoring of the health of the Sámi but also offers the best possible comparison with Swedish population health data.