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1. Policy framework

2. Stakeholders

3. Guidance to stakeholders

4. Target groups

5. Funding

Policy framework

With regard to the risk and health risks to early setting mechanisms, for example, in relation to the prevention and restriction of incidence of infectious diseases, the Centre for Disease Prevention and Control organises different events, including events in the population groups, which are subject to an increased risk of infections or belong to special risk groups, as well as organises planning, purchasing, storage, registration and distribution of drugs and medical devices to ensure the work of HIV prevention points. There are 19 HIV prevention points operating in Latvia in 2017, of which 16 conduct testing. In addition, minor persons are examined for HIV based on a personal request, request of parents of the minor person, request of a guardian or a county court or a written request of a law enforcement agency.[1]

The problem of circulation and use of new psychoactive substances is as topical in Latvia as in other countries. According to survey[2] results, 9.5% of 15 year olds have tried a Spice mixture at least once in their life. In order to resolve this problem, a generic system for the inclusion of new substances of lists of controlled substances has been in place in Latvia since 2013. And there is also the so-called temporary ban system, using which a new substance may be quickly subjected to control for a period up to 1 year. These initiatives have allowed to reduce circulation of new substances, thus reducing subjection of young people to health risks.

[1] Regulations of the Cabinet of Ministers No 628 “Organisational Procedures for Restriction of the Spread of Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infection (HIV) and AIDS and the Treatment of HIV-Infected Persons and AIDS Patients” of 4 November 2003

[2]“Habits of use of addictive substances and their trends among pupils”. ESPAD 2015. Centre for Disease Prevention and Control. www.spkc.gov.lv/upload/Petijumi%20un%20zinojumi/Atkaribu%20slimibu%20petijumi/espad2015_ziojums.pdf

Stakeholders

The Center for Disease Prevention and Control (hereinafter referred to as the Center) is a direct administration institution under the Ministry of Health.

 The Center's objective is to implement public health policies in the areas of epidemiological safety and disease prevention and health policies in the subcategory of health care as well as to ensure the implementation and coordination of health promotion policies.

Guidance to stakeholders

The Public Health Guidelines for 2014-2020 is a medium-term policy planning document developed in accordance with the Latvian National Development Plan 2014-2020, the World Health Organization's European Region Strategy "Health 2020" and the European Union Funds 2014. -2020 scheduling period. It is designed to continue the implementation of the public health policy launched, as well as to update new development goals and directions for their achievement, preserving, improving and restoring the state of health of the population of Latvia, in particular socially marginalized and at risk of poverty, in the next seven years.

Public Health Guidelines 2014-2020.

The overriding goal of public health policy is to increase the number of healthy life years of the population of Latvia and to prevent premature death. By the year 2020, it is planned to increase the number of healthy life years (for men reaching 57 years and 60 for women) by 3 years, as well as a 11% reduction in the number of potentially lost life years.

It is intended to be implemented by promoting equal health opportunities for all citizens by reducing the risk factors for non-communicable diseases, improving the health of pregnant women and children, reducing the impact of traumatic and environmental risks on public health, ensuring the prevention of communicable diseases, and developing a quality health care system and equal health availability of services to the citizens of the country.

Cross-sectoral cooperation is essential for the development of the Public Health Guidelines 2014-2020, as well as for the further implementation of the document, ensuring the principle of "health in all policies". Consequently, the Ministry of Economics, the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of the Interior, the Ministry of Education and Science, the Ministry of Welfare, the Ministry of Transport, the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Regional Development and the Ministry of Agriculture have established the responsible institutions for the implementation of the tasks specified in the guidelines.

The main causes of death in Latvia are non-communicable diseases: mainly cardiovascular diseases, malignant tumors and external causes of death. The development of non-communicable diseases is largely influenced by lifestyle-related factors - unhealthy diet, lack of physical activity and harmful habits (smoking, alcohol and drug use). The most effective prevention of non-communicable diseases is smoking cessation, regular physical activity, a healthy diet and adequate body weight maintenance.

Target groups

The Disease Prevention and Control Center organizes public awareness campaigns each year to improve the health of the population. Campaign themes are selected by analyzing public health statistics.

Funding

To implement the measures, each year by 2020, the Ministry of Health needs additional budgetary resources that will be required when drawing up the state budget for the current year. It is planned that in 2020 the health care budget should reach 4% of GDP.