Health agreements as facilitators of integrated care in Denmark

Background: The health agreements serve as political documents, forming a general framework for coordinating care between municipalities and regions in Denmark. However, their full implementation and impact on public health remain uncertain. The aim of this study was to examine the content of the agreements and assess their potential contribution to advancing public health within integrated care in Denmark.<br/>Method: This study employed qualitative content analysis to evaluate Danish health agreements from 2019 to 2023 across five administrative regions.<br/>Results: Results indicated a predominant focus within these agreements on clinical procedures, with limited attention afforded to broader determinants of health. Across all five agreements, there was a notable emphasis on ensuring the efficacy and efficiency of service provision. Although elements related to person-centeredness, such as decision-making and self-management, were present, the agreements were predominantly oriented toward disease treatment. Proposals for IT system development and telemedicine were notable. Decision support mechanisms were suggested to prioritize the existing national outcome measures conducive to integrated care. However, imperatives aimed at supporting public health initiatives were absent. Consequently, the incorporation of public health components within these health agreements remains inadequate.<br/>