Novo Nordisk Foundation has launched a new grant programme to help scale up effective solutions addressing health inequity. DKK 100 million has been allocated over two years, and the first DKK 50 million has been granted to four innovative projects.

Outreach initiatives, flexible health services, new health communities and more integrated consultation methods are among the innovative and well-documented solutions that will now be scaled up through the programme ‘Equity in health for adults in vulnerable positions’.

With this programme, the Novo Nordisk Foundation is focusing on implementing and scaling up initiatives that have shown promising results for adults in vulnerable positions in terms of improving their health. Particular attention is given to the most disadvantaged citizens, who often live with multiple chronic diseases including cardiovascular conditions and who, due to their life circumstances, have limited access to essential health services.

“In Denmark, too many people do not benefit from the right health interventions in time. If we are to succeed in reducing the growing inequity in health, we need solutions that meet people where they are and build bridges between citizens, local communities and health services,” says Flemming Konradsen, Chief Scientific Officer at the Novo Nordisk Foundation.

As part of the programme, the Novo Nordisk Foundation is also establishing a learning network to support the implementation, knowledge sharing and anchoring of solutions in municipalities and regions.

Focus on innovation, cross-sector partnerships and scaling
The four projects selected in the first round of grants each contribute in different ways to creating greater health equity. Over the next 4–5 years, they will engage in evidence-building while working purposefully to expand and mature their initiatives.

The projects cover the entire patient journey – from early, preventive efforts in municipalities to medical and treatment interventions with GPs and hospitals. Together, they strengthen collaboration across civil society, general practice, municipalities, regions and hospitals.

About the four projects

• Health villages: This concept mobilises local communities in rural areas and strengthens citizens’ access to health services by building bridges to municipalities, general practice and regions. Six existing health villages will be further developed in collaboration with the municipalities of Brønderslev, Rebild, Ærø, Langeland, Slagelse and Guldborgsund, while eight new villages will be established. The aim is to reduce geographical health inequity and develop solutions that can be anchored in local healthcare.
• Social Drive Out: A nationwide outreach initiative that meets people in socially vulnerable situations at eye level and builds relationships that create bridges to health and treatment services. The initiative is anchored in KFUM’s social work and is run by staff and volunteers. With the grant, the health focus will be strengthened and the initiative scaled nationally through collaborations with patient association groups, municipalities and regions, as well as systematic knowledge building and follow-up research.
• Care coordinator in general practice: This concept strengthens the GP’s role as care coordinator for patients with complex multimorbidity through so-called overview consultations, where doctor and patient have more time for a thorough conversation. With the grant, the core elements will be scaled nationally via the country’s quality clusters, and the model will be further developed so it can be used flexibly in busy practices and for the most vulnerable patients, as well as linked to care pathways for people with chronical illness.
• Flex clinic: A flexible health service for citizens in socially vulnerable positions, developed at the emergency ward at Bispebjerg and Frederiksberg Hospital. The model brings together outreach initiatives, general medical treatment and social support in integrated pathways. With the grant, the model will be further developed locally and scaled and adapted to Holbæk Hospital and Amager and Hvidovre Hospital. At the same time, an implementation model will be developed to form the basis for further scaling.

“It is crucial that we not only develop new solutions but also ensure that they reach those who need them most and have a lasting impact. With this programme, I hope we can support organisations to make a real difference for many people who are often outside the healthcare system,” says Flemming Konradsen.

About the programme
The programme ‘Equity in health for adults in vulnerable positions’ aims to reduce health inequality by maturing and scaling well-documented, practice-based solutions that improve the patient journey for adults in vulnerable positions with multimorbidity, including cardiovascular diseases. The programme supports cross-sector partnerships between civil society, general practice, municipalities and hospitals, and focuses on solutions that can be broadly implemented and anchored in operations with documented impact for citizens. The Novo Nordisk Foundation is currently identifying new projects to be included in the programme for 2026.

Enquiries about the programme: Christina Diekhöner, Senior Project Manager, Global and Public Health, Novo Nordisk Foundation, [email protected], Tel.: +45 50609820

Enquiries about Health Villages: Mette Boel, Project Lead, Landdistrikternes Fællesråd (National Council for Rural Affairs), [email protected], Tel. +45 24900078

Enquiries about Social Drive Out: Trine Kruse Friis, Project Lead, KFUM’s Sociale Arbejde (YMCA’s social work), mail: [email protected], Tel. +45 30651022

Enquiries about Care coordinator in general practice: Anne Holm, Associate Professor, Senior Researcher, GP, PhD, University of Copenhagen, [email protected], Tel. +45 61678181

Enquiries about Flex clinic: Hanne Nygaard, PhD, Director of the Research Unit, Dept. Of Emergency Medicine, Bispebjerg & Frederiksberg Hospital, [email protected], Tel. +45 26803394