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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 > Driven by non-health sector

Policies and Strategies that are Driven by the Non-Health Sector

The Council of the Estonian National Strategy for the Prevention of Cardiovascular Diseases (CVD) 2005-2020.
In February 2005 the Government of Estonia approved the “National Strategy for Prevention of Cardiovascular Diseases 2005-2020”. The implementation of the CVD prevention strategy is managed and coordinated by the Strategy Council set up in the Ministry of Social Affairs, which includes representatives of relevant ministries and other institutions, including non-profit organizations and professional associations. The composition and working procedure of the council is established by an order of the Minister of Social Affairs. The chairman of the Strategy Council is the Minister of Social Affairs.

Development Plan for Estonian Housing 2008 - 2013
By providing people with quality living conditions, one can reduce negative impacts such as crime, stress, poor health and illness. The National Health Development Plan analyses the risks of environment that come from poor housing systems. These include issues such as the temperature of rooms, the quality of air, illumination, etc.

Addressing SDHI in Gender Equity Strategies
In accordance with Article 2 of the Treaty of Amsterdam, promotion of gender equality has been declared a common task of the member states of the European Union. Pursuant to the Government of the Republic Act, amended in the year 2000, promotion of gender equality is the responsibility of the Ministry of Social Affairs. In order to perform tackle this issue, in 1996 the Ministry established the Equality Office, which was renamed Equality Department this year.

Further information available at http://www.sm.ee

Policy concerning gender equity is coordinated by the department working in The Ministry of Social Affairs which specializes in gender equality. The department is engaged in developing the politics, strategies and measures for reducing gender inequality and promoting gender equality in all areas of life. The department deals with assessing the conformity of Estonian legislation with international requirements and treaties, analysing the status of women and men and counselling professional specialists. The Ministry of Social Affairs is also developing guidelines and methods that enable the influence of a specific programme, measure or project on women and men to be assessed. Work concerning social and work related matters in The Ministry of Social Affairs also include the Implementation Plan for Human Resources Development, whose priority is long-lasting and a qualitative work life.

Addressing SDHI in nutrition strategies
The School Milk and the Free Hot Meal Programme
In 2001 the Ministry of Agriculture in cooperation with Ministry of Social Affairs and local governments started The School Milk Programme. Milk, yoghurt and cultured milk are the main milk products offered to children in grades 1 to 4. The main objective of the school milk support is to enhance the custom of drinking milk and healthy nutrition among school children.

In 2002 the School Milk Programme was followed by the Free Hot Meal Programme, also for grades 1 to 4.The school lunch was not paid for all students. Rather, lunches were provided for students from families in disadvantaged economic situations. Since many children from poor families were not eligible for the free lunch, the scheme was revised and today all students, grades 1 to 4, get free lunch. The new Government Coalition Agreement (April 2005) includes objective to broaden the programme to all students in primary school.

Addressing SDHI in justice strategies
The Ministry of Justice tackles health inequalities and human rights in prisons, by creating the Development Plan for Reducing Juvenile Delinquency 2007-2009. The purpose of the plan is to reduce juvenile delinquency, including repetitive crimes, and to improve accessibility of work for young people. This plan includes dealing with social and educational methods directed towards young people, improving the work of juvenile commissions and developing different re-socialization programmes.

Addressing SDHI in science and education strategies
To improve the health and health education in schools, and reform schools for children with special needs, the Ministry of Science and Education created two strategies. These include the Strategy for Juvenile Work 2006-2013 and the Safe School Program which addresses prevention of school violence. The Safe School Program, which is currently under development, aims to implement the National Development Plan’s strategy to guarantee a healthy and safe environment for children through the prevention of violence and harm reduction in schools.

Addressing SDHI in economic and communication strategies
The Estonian Institute of Economic Research systematically gathers information about alcohol consumption, the alcohol market in general, consumer habits which involve alcohol consumption and the different measures that have been made to decrease alcohol consumption. (For more information about their research, see Tools and Resources section.)

Addressing SDHI in demographic strategies
The Ministry of Population deals with migration issues, demographic situation in Estonia and ethnic minority issues. They work on these issues through the Strategy for Implementation of Populations Politics 2005 - 2008, the Estonian Integration Plan 2008 - 2013 (under development) and through all major population group policies (such as birth, family, elderly etc.)

The purpose of the Integration Policy is  create a cohesive society which gives ethnic minorities an opportinity to maintain their cultural diffrences. In this plan, aims include reducing risk-behaviour among immigrants and increasing a healthy lifestyle.

Refugees Act
All matters related to refugees in Estonia are regulated by the Refugees Act which came into force January 2004. The task of the Ministry of Social Affairs is the reception of asylum applicants and organising the settlement of refugees in local municipalities. The procedure of application for asylum is the responsibility of the Border Guard Administration and the Citizenship and Migration Board. The reception of asylum applicants is organised by the state agency within the administration of the Ministry of Social Affairs at the Illuka Reception Centre for Asylum Seekers, located in Jaama village in Ida-Virumaa. The Illuka Reception Centre organises accommodation, emergency care and medical examination of asylum applicants, essential translation services and the teaching of the Estonian language. It also informs asylum applicants of their rights and obligations and other essential services. Asylum applicants are provided with money to cover urgent small expenses.