Spotlight on health in Hafnarfjörður

Knowledge for improved health

Lifeline Health and the City of Hafnarfjörður have joined forces to support the city's staff in improving their health. Initially, 80 employees will have the opportunity to undergo a health check and receive advice on improving their quality of life and health. More will follow if it is successful. Only the staff will receive the health information.

Victor Guðmundsson, a doctor and one of the founders of the new healthcare service Lifeline Health, says that staff from the City of Hafnarfjörður will be among the first to test the service.

„The aim is to help each individual achieve their health based on the four pillars of health: exercise, nutrition, sleep and mental health.“

Supporting people to live healthier lives

Victor says they have already seen examples of individuals diagnosed with risk factors such as high blood pressure or signs of metabolic problems of which they were unaware. This means people can be put on the right path within the healthcare system earlier.

„Our focus is primarily on prevention – educating, guiding and supporting people towards a better and healthier life, with the associated positive effects for the individuals themselves, their workplaces, the Icelandic healthcare system and society as a whole,“ he says.

Mayor Valdimar Víðisson says the service is excellent for supporting staff who want to improve their health and receive guidance and support from professionals. „It is very important to us here in Hafnarfjörður that our staff feel well, as well-being at work is a matter close to our hearts.“

Health put first

Lind Einarsdóttir, human resources manager for the City of Hafnarfjörður, says the city is prioritising health. „This pilot project with Lifeline Health is an excellent contribution to that effort. It is pleasing to see that the council's focus is delivering results, as there were 4,000 fewer sick days in 2025 than in 2024,“ she says.

„We aim to maintain that success and want to do even better, as we see a clear link between job satisfaction and sickness absence.“

Victor says that those at Lifeline Health have heard that a fun and positive atmosphere is created in workplaces around the health checks. „People generally start to pay more attention to their own health and wellbeing, which is fantastic and exactly what we want to see. We also hope that these positive effects spread beyond the workplace – to their homes, families and the wider community.“

Caption / Valdimar Víðisson, Mayor, Victor Guðmundsson, one of the founders of Lifeline Health, Orri Björnsson, Chairman of the Municipal Council, in the lower row. Sigurður Nordal, Director of the Administration Department of Hafnarfjörður Municipality, Lind Einarsdóttir, Human Resources Manager, and Dröfn Gunnarsdóttir, Human Resources Advisor, in the upper row.