The research centre focuses on improving public health and reducing health inequalities through community-engaged research and education. The centre involves citizens, the commercial and public sectors, as well as non-profit organisations.

Challenging health inequalities through the power of collaboration and pioneering research.

Margareta Rämgård, Director of Citizen Health

“We want to include citizens in the research”

Citizen Health research centre aims to promote good health by creating socially sustainable communities. The focus is on citizens who are involved in the whole scope of the research process to create new knowledge. “It's a form of democratisation of research where social science meets health...

“We want to include citizens in the research”

Citizen Health research centre aims to promote good health by creating socially sustainable communities. The focus is on citizens who are involved in the whole scope of the research process to create new knowledge. “It's a form of democratisation of research where social science meets health science,” says director Margareta Rämgård.

Citizen Health is an interdisciplinary research centre with staff from all five faculties of the University. Its focus is on improving health promotion in public health and establish health equity in a broad sense. To achieve this, the centre works with community-engaged research and participatory methods in education.

Citizens should be more involved in the research; many groups in society are marginalised and are often left out, and it is always someone else who determines what their needs are.

Margareta Rämgård

The research methodology is participatory research and is known as Community-Based Participatory Research (CBPR). Simply put, this means that different stakeholders, such as the public sector, community organisations, decision-makers, and researchers, create new knowledge together.

A crucial factor for Citizen Health is that citizens are seen as active individuals who, with the right support, can take responsibility for their health.

“Citizens should be more involved in the research; many groups in society are marginalised and are often left out, and it is always someone else who determines what their needs are,” says Rämgård, associate professor at the Department of Care Sciences, who together with Susanna Hedenborg, professor of sports science, and Michael Strange, associate professor of international relations, make up the steering group for the centre.

An important ambition for the research centre is to integrate young researchers and create an international environment for them. Some already associated with the centre include:

  • Doctoral student Louise Burenby Yxne, whose participatory research project investigates children's wellbeing together with the children
  • Doctoral student Lisa Axelsson, who is investigating the barriers migrants face in terms of health, particularly linked to the need for movement and physical activity, with migrant women
  • Doctoral student Dennis Munetsi, who is researching the global and everyday political economy of menstrual health apps with communities, focusing on both their economic flows and how the technology is received in Zimbabwe.

The doctoral students are also part of global research networks.

As a newly established research centre, Citizen Health is in the early stages of its work, but Rämgård already sees a dream breakthrough ahead: To create an international research centre in Malmö that actively promotes democratic, sustainable societies and to which citizens and civil society can also turn for research support.

Why Citizen Health matters – and how we contribute

At the Citizen Health (CzH) research centre at Malmö University, we work to improve public health and reduce health disparities by involving citizens directly in the research process.

Our five highly integrated work packages:

1. Participatory research with health promotion interventions (CBPR)

Through community-based participatory research (CBPR), we support local initiatives that empower people to take control of their health, including oral health, and drive lasting change from within.

2. Preventing chronic diseases such as diabetes and cardiovascular diseases

A collaboration within the Cities for Better Health, involving Region Skåne, Malmö City, and Novo Nordisk, is actively addressing diabetes prevention.

3. Develop and implement inclusive environments for sports, exercise and physical activity

Everyone, regardless of background, should have access to safe and welcoming spaces for sport and movement. We aim to develop and implement inclusive environments for young people regarding sports and physical activity.

4. Democratic health policy and governance in a digital age

We seek to map existing policy and governance processes in health and healthcare, as well as support innovation, as new technologies enter the field.

5. Innovative approaches for health evaluation

Here we seek to better connect everyday people to the development of new technologies that help them evaluate their health.

Researchers

Total hits: 30

Publications

Total hits: 11

Internationalisation

Citizen Health is actively engaged in international networks that strengthen participatory and collaborative health research. Through long-term partnerships and global working groups, we contribute to knowledge exchange, capacity building, and research that creates real-world impact.

Collaborative Action Research Network (CARN)

About CARN

CARN is an international community committed to advancing collaborative and action-oriented research across diverse fields and professional practices.

The network brings together researchers, educators, practitioners, and community partners who share a commitment to inquiry that leads to meaningful, real-world change.

With a strong focus on participation, reflection, and shared learning, CARN supports research grounded in practice and driven by collective action.

Citizen Health’s Connection to CARN

Citizen Health has been actively engaged in CARN for more than a decade. Together with Malmö University, Citizen Health is a sponsoring member of the network and contributes to strengthening collaborative and participatory research both locally and internationally.

In 2024, Citizen Health proudly hosted the Annual CARN Conference, further deepening its role in supporting CARN’s mission to foster dialogue, innovation, and action through research.

Read more at the CARN website

 

International Collaboration for Participatory Health Research (ICPHR)

About ICPHR

ICPHR is a global network dedicated to advancing high-quality participatory health research. It connects researchers, practitioners, community partners, and institutions committed to collaborative approaches that strengthen health, equity, and social justice.

Through shared standards, working groups, and international cooperation, ICPHR supports the development, evaluation, and dissemination of participatory research that is grounded in the lived experiences of communities.

Within ICPHR, several international working groups collaborate to advance participatory health research across diverse themes and communities:

  • Children and young people: Kids in Action
  • migrant health,
  • ethics,
  • standards of practice,
  • community mental health,
  • indigenous health,
  • and health promotion.

Each working group brings together researchers, practitioners, and community partners to share knowledge, develop methods, and strengthen the quality and impact of participatory health research worldwide.

Insights

Kids in Action illustration

Citizen Health hosts and coordinates the Kids in Action Network under the banner KIA 2.0. Kids in Action is an international working group dedicated to strengthening participatory research with children. The network creates meaningful spaces where children’s voices, rights, and perspectives are taken seriously, and where they can act as active citizens and change-makers.

What happens when artificial intelligence meets global health? In this podcast episode, Michael Strange, Associate Professor of Global Political Studies at Malmö University, speaks with Kimberly Nevala about the role of AI in healthcare – beyond the hype. They explore how the pandemic reshaped the landscape, why technology must be understood in its political and material context, and why humility and interdisciplinarity are crucial for building a sustainable, inclusive, and human-centred healthcare system.

A podcast in Swedish. Travel to Lindängen, Malmö – a neighbourhood shaped by both challenges and strong community drive. Margareta Rämgård, Associate Professor at Malmö University, shares how residents and local actors co‑created ‘Equal Health in Lindängen’, a project centred on people’s needs. Through health promoters and trust‑based relationships, the initiative fosters better health and greater empowerment.

Our Method – Community-based Participatory Research (CBPR)


What is CBPR?

Community-based participatory research (CBPR) is a research methodology that includes the participation of those affected by the issue or problem being studied, with the dual purpose of creating knowledge and social change.

Why CBPR?

Traditional models of knowledge production have been criticised for being excessively researcher- and theory-driven, failing to adequately respond to people's health needs and translate research findings into societally relevant, effective health interventions.

Benefits of CBPR

CBPR enhances healthcare interventions' quality and cost-effectiveness and supports individual health and well-being by integrating science and practice.

Empowerment – a crucial part of health promotion

Community and/or individual empowerment lies at the very core of health promotion of people, organisations, and communities towards the goals of increased individual and community control, political efficacy, improved quality of community life and social justice. Through this approach, we seek to greatly strengthen the prevention of factors that undermine health and well-being.

Join us

Join us in shaping healthier communities

We welcome individuals passionate about health and well-being, whether you come from a healthcare background or care about improving life for yourself and those around you.

At our centre in Southern Sweden, we host workshops, collaborate on new ideas, and explore the key themes driving our work. We're always open to fresh perspectives and invite both local and international partners to join us in sharing knowledge, methods, and experiences.

Let’s work together to build healthier, more connected communities.

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  • Mary Bradon Miller – Professor

    University of Louisville, USA

  • Jane Springett – Professor Emeritus

    University of Alberta, Canada

  • David Napier – Professor

    University College of London, England

  • Pieter Bevelander – Professor

    MIM Research Centre, Malmö University

  • Per Alstergren – Professor/Dean

    Faculty of Odontology, Malmö University

  • Martin Höst – Professor, Dean

    Faculty of Technology and Society, Malmö University

  • Malin Skogström – Head of Unit/General Practitioner

    Region Skåne

  • Sara Svensson – Regional Manager

    Southern Region, Rädda barnen

  • Malin Eggertz Forsmark – Head of Department

    City of Malmö

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