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National Level Policies

The National Level Policies section of the portal provides an overview of
the actual situation concerning actions to tackle health inequalities in the
different European countries.

This part of the portal is currently being developed, the information for the remaining countries will continuously be completed.

In addition to the national level portraits of the individual countries the
overview analysis has been conducted and its initial results have been
published in EuroHealth magazine (EuroHealth, 11:2 p.24).

Download the final 'Closing the Gap' publication: Taking Action on Health Equity.

This publication contains summaries of what each of the 21 ´Closing the Gap´ partners are doing to address health inequalities in their countries, as well as the conclusions and recommendations of this 3-year initiative.

Results of the same country

List all good practice projects of the actual country.

You are here: > National Level Policies > Estonia > Policies, Strategies and other Documents > Cross government

Cross Government

The Estonian Central Government doesn't usually lead the process of developing strategies/action plans to tackle inequalities in health or to increase social inclusion. The Central Government’s role is more as a director. For example, the government can delegate different tasks to different ministries according to what the government has set as its priority for the next year(s) and how much money the government is going to allocate for specific areas (social, economy, education etc.). Then it is the responsibility of the specific ministry to develop action plans/strategies/policies which is usually done in cooperation with other ministries. These policies must have governmental approval and then the ministry can begin implementing them.

The issue of health inequalities has recently received increased attention at the national level. In 2002, the first national survey analyzing inequalities in health revealed that increasing gaps have emerged across different education levels, incomes, places of residence and nationalities. In response to these findings, since 2004, all new national health strategies highlight the principle of equity. The reduction of inequalities is generally addressed through a focus on specific populations such as vulnerable groups or communities rather than the population as a whole.

Estonian Population Health Development Plan 2008 - 2020.
Has not yet received governments approval, but should be approved during the year 2008.
Among other things Estonian Health Development Plan focuses on SDHI through issues of mutual responsibility for health, equal opportunities and justice, also social inclusion and is considering in its actions other international documents concerning SDHI.

One of the five main purposes is to decrease inequality in health and to increase social inclusion so that every member of the society feels part of our country and decision making processes.
For the evaluation of Estonian Population Health Development Plan there are mainly used regularly updated databases and researces which are made with certain clearance (in every second, fourth year etc). Most important of the conducted regular researches are health care system costumers satisfaction researhes which are conducted every year, Health Behaviour Among Estonian Adult Population research which is conducted every second year, ESPAD and HBSC among schoolchildren which is conducted after every four years and Estonian Health Survey.