Living conditions, lifestyle habits and health in the general population in spring 2020 and one year into the COVID-19 pandemic in Sweden – Results from two cross-sectional studies carried out in 2020 and 2021

The aim of the study was to investigate mental and physical health as well as living conditions and lifestyle habits in the adult general population in spring 2020 and one year into the COVID-19 pandemic in Sweden comparing results from two cross-sectional studies carried out in February-May 2020 and 2021. The study population comprises 2,273 persons in 2020 and 2,216 persons in 2021 who responded to the national public health survey sent to random population samples in one county in Sweden. The age group was 16–84 years, and the response rates were 45% and 44%, respectively. Differences in living conditions (economic difficulties, social support and worrying about losing one’s job), lifestyle habits (physical activity, daily smoking, sitting duration and alcohol use), and health (self-rated health, pain in shoulders or neck, sleeping difficulties, anxiety or worry, and obesity) between years 2020 and 2021 were analysed using multiple binary logistic regression in men and women, adjusting for age group and educational level. Very few statistically significant differences were observed between 2020 and 2021 regarding living conditions, lifestyle factors and health. The main finding was that the prevalence of anxiety and worry increased among women. Surveillance of the long-term public health consequences of the pandemic in the general population using robust data and methods, is important for planning and targeting preventive activities.