The core tasks of the department

The department's core tasks are in epidemiological research on the prevalence and risk factors for chronic, non-communicable diseases such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, lung diseases, and chronic pain. Furthermore, the department is responsible for national coordination of monitoring non-communicable diseases and associated risk factors in the population including physical activity and physical condition. Another core task at the department is responsibility for pharmaceutical epidemiological research at the Institute. We conduct academic research on drug utilization and drug safety and carry out projects on behalf of authorities in the area of pharmacoepidemiology (Post Authorization Safety studies (PASS)).

Competence profile

The department has about 20 employees with expertise in epidemiology, pharmacoepidemiology, statistics, medicine, pharmacy, psychology, nutrition, physiology, molecular biology, and sports science. We have thorough knowledge of different population-based health registries and surveys and high competence in applying advanced epidemiological and statistical methods in studies where such data are used.

We study the occurrence and natural history of non-communicable diseases and risk factors for these diseases. The department also studies incidence and time trends in important factors that affect health, such as physical activity, with a special focus on multimorbidity. We also study the safety and use of drugs in non-communicable diseases and pregnancy. Many projects assess the importance of socioeconomic conditions, gender, and immigrant background.

A new focus of the department is to generate knowledge about how the COVID-19 pandemic may have influenced the development of non-communicable diseases with associated risk factors. This also includes knowledge about the safety of the vaccines used during the pandemic.

Main deliveries and important partners and users of the knowledge

The department's overall purpose is to be a professional competence body for the health authorities in counselling and health analysis at the national level for the non-communicable diseases including drug utilization and safety.

The research findings are disseminated through scientific articles in national and international peer-reviewed journals, scientific lectures, popular science articles, and among other things, on the website of the Norwegian Institute of Public Health and in the media. Knowledge is also communicated to the Ministry of Health and Care Services and the Norwegian Directorate of Health, for example, through the Public Health Report (Folkehelserapporten).

The department places great importance on collaboration and knowledge sharing across disciplines and the research projects include national and international partners. 

Some major projects in the department:

• PainFact

• NorPress/Inpress

• Hedimed – Norway

• NCDNOR

• POINT