7.2 Administration and governance
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Governance
The platform of the current coalition government states, for example:
- A health policy will be formulated that coordinates and strengthens health-care services, improves public health and promotes overall health.
- Policy-making and planning by the authorities will take into account the impacts on the health and well-being of the public. Direct and indirect future costs for society as a whole will be reduced by putting greater effort into preventive measures and public health.
- Access to mental health services will be increased, including the provision of psychological services at primary health-care clinics and in upper secondary schools.
The platform (English): http://www.government.is/government/coalition-platform/
The Ministry of Education, Science and Culture
- Directorate of Education Act 2015 No 91 10 July. Further information (English): https://eng.menntamalaraduneyti.is/media/frettatengt2016/Thyding-log-um-Menntamalastofnun-juli-2016.pdf
- The Directorate of Education has responsibility for certain administrative tasks from the Ministry of Education, Science and Culture. The main tasks are e.g. to conduct administrative tasks related to the implementation of the national curriculum and monitor and evaluate school progress. Further information (English): https://mms.is/directorate-education
- Upper Secondary Education Act No 92 (12 June 2008). Further information (English): https://eng.menntamalaraduneyti.is/media/frettatengt2016/Thyding-log-um-framhaldsskola-juli-2016.pdf
- The National Curriculum Guide (2012) is a policy framework for Icelandic schools across educational levels and Health and Well-being is one of six fundamental pillars that has been developed within this framework that forms the essence of the educational policy in Iceland. More than 90% of the youth 16-18 years old attend upper secondary schools. Icelandic children and youth are mostly in schools from the age of two years till the age of 18. Further information (English): https://eng.menntamalaraduneyti.is/publications/curriculum/
- Sports Act No 64 (12 June 1998). Further information (English): https://eng.menntamalaraduneyti.is/media/frettir2014/Thyding-ithrottalog-mars-2015.pdf
- Policy in sports affair (“Stefna í íþróttamálum”) (2011). Further information (English): https://www.stjornarradid.is/media/menntamalaraduneyti-media/media/mrn-pdf/stefnumotun_mrn_ithrottir_low.pdf
- Youth act No 70/2007. Further information (English): http://www.youthpolicy.org/national/2007_Iceland_Youth_Act.pdf
Ministry of Welfare – responsible for Health, Social Affairs and Equality
- Medical Director of Health and Public Health Act No. 41/2007. Further information (English): https://eng.velferdarraduneyti.is/media/acrobat-enskar_sidur/Act_on_the_Medical_Director_of_Health_and_Public_Health_as_amended.pdf
- Action Plan for the Directorate of Health 2016-2017. Further information (English): https://www.landlaeknir.is/servlet/file/store93/item29903/EN-Action-plan_2016-2017_August-2016_final.pdf
- Health Service Act No. 40/2007. Further information (English): http://eng.velferdarraduneyti.is/acts-ofParliament/nr/20098
- Regulation on primary health care No. 787/2007 (“Reglugerð um heilsugæslustöðvar”). Further information (Icelandic): http://stjornartidindi.is/Advert.aspx?ID=2aa87f27-5da4-4494-95ca-fbed296b443e
- Public Health policy and action plan (“Lýðheilsustefna”) (2016). Further information (Icelandic): https://www.stjornarradid.is/media/velferdarraduneyti-media/media/skyrslur2016/Lydheilsustefna_og_adgerdaaaetlun_30102016.pdf
- Mental Health policy and action plan (“Geðheilbrigðisstefna”). Further information (Icelandic): https://www.althingi.is/altext/145/s/1217.html
- Alcohol Act No. 75/1998 (“Áfengislög”). Further information (Icelandic): http://www.althingi.is/lagas/nuna/1998075.html
- Narcotic Act No. 65/1974. Further information (English): http://eng.innanrikisraduneyti.is/media/Log_og_reglugerdir/65_1974.pdf
- Tobacco Control Act, No. 6/2002. Further information (English): http://eng.velferdarraduneyti.is/acts-of-Parliament/nr/19484
- Action plan to reduce obesity – working group on behalf of the Ministry of Health (2013) (“Aðgerðaáætlun til að draga úr tíðni offitu”). Further information (Icelandic). https://www.velferdarraduneyti.is/media/Rit_2013/Adgerdaraaetlun-til-ad-draga-ur-tidni-offitu.pdf
Cross-sectorial cooperation
The government established the ministerial committee on public health in March 2014. The Prime Minister (chair), Minister of Health, Minister of Education and Culture, and Minister of Social Affairs and Housing form the core members of the committee. Other ministers participate as needed. The main goal of the committee is to create a comprehensive public health policy and action plan. Public Health policy and action plan that will promote health-promoting community – with a particular focus for children and youth till the age of 18 (“Lýðheilsustefna”) (2016). Further information (Icelandic): https://www.stjornarradid.is/media/velferdarraduneyti-media/media/skyrslur2016/Lydheilsustefna_og_adgerdaaaetlun_30102016.pdf
ICSRA works closely in collaboration with the Icelandic Ministry of Education, Science and Culture, municipalities throughout Iceland and NGO´s to follow up and produce actions according the results of the studies.
The Sport affair policy is a cooperation work of the parties responsible for the field; the Ministry of Education, Science and Culture, municipalities and sports organizations.