Skåne is one of the test regions for the project, and we begin with the understanding that
European healthcare systems are not evolving quickly enough to address the societal
challenges we face today. One pressing issue is the increasing prevalence of mental health
problems among children and young people. The economic impact of mental illness in
Swedish society is estimated at SEK 319 billion. This includes direct costs to the healthcare
system and social benefits, as well as indirect costs related to the labour market.

The primary objectives of the health promotion interventions within the Skåne testbed that we work with as part of Invest4Health are to improve the overall health of children and youth, enhance mental health support for high-risk groups, boost school performance, and reduce the number of children and adolescents entering institutional care. Achieving these goals requires a stronger focus on early detection
and a comprehensive approach to prevention and early intervention for children and parents.

Through the I4H testbed, following a problem and needs analysis, stakeholder mapping, and other exploratory exercises, we aim to translate the lessons learned into sustainable governance, business
and finance models that encourage collaboration and investment across sectors. Within the
Invest4Health project framework, we are developing and testing innovative investment models designed to optimize investments in health promotion and disease prevention, fostering cross-sector partnerships among stakeholders.

To support ongoing initiatives in early detection, prevention, and health promotion for
children, the Skåne testbed will apply the Invest4Health governance models at both the
structural and regional levels. The emphasis is on fostering shared impact and pooling
resources to create the conditions necessary for successful local initiatives. This will be
achieved by providing systematic support that integrates methods and funding within a cross-
sectoral implementation framework. At the same time, we aim to generate insights that can
drive a holistic, system-wide transformation.

At the strategic level, our work is focused on enabling systematic change that will ultimately
have a positive effect at the individual level. Strengthening coordination between regional
authorities, municipalities, and third-sector organizations is essential for success. We are not
only examining areas that need further development or improvement in health promotion but
are equally focused on identifying what works well and how these successful approaches
can be scaled and applied more widely. By generating insights and fostering collaboration,
we aim to catalyze a broader, more effective system change.