Health policy and recent changes in mortality and life expectancy in Latvia
2008
Krumins, J., Latvian Academy of Sciences, Riga (Latvia);University of Latvia, Riga (Latvia)
Despite the implementation of variety of measures and programmes, the health status of Latvia's population is not improving rapidly enough. At the turn of the 20th and 21st century the increase of life expectancy has become slower. In comparison with other EU member states, Latvia has the lowest life expectancy (except life expectancy at retirement age) and disability-adjusted life expectancy. The standardized mortality rates for main causes of death in Latvia also significantly exceed the EU average. Significant mortality differences between males and females, urban and rural population still exist in Latvia. Health status varies by territorial units and for population with different level of education and employment status. Currently it may be said with certainty that the first - general aim of the Public Health Strategy will not be achieved by 2010 because it is unlikely that by then life expectancy in Latvia will have increased by 4 - 5 years. However, convergence of life expectancy at birth in Latvia with the EU average is not an unrealistic aim. In order to achieve that aim, greater attention should be paid to health status of population and to the impact of policies implemented in different sectors related to public health.
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