The   Estonian National Health Plan (hereafter referred to by its Estonian acronym, ERTA) is designed to ensure that the people of Estonia live longer, happier, healthier lives. This is something that can only be achieved if everyone works together: not just the people who live in the country, but also the state, local governments and the private and third sectors.
ERTA 2009-2020 provides recommendations and indicates the directions we should be taking in the name of good health and brings all of the tasks that lie before us together. It also assembles a large number of strategic documents which have already been implemented or which are soon to be implemented in other fields that have a role to play in achieving ERTA’s objective.

Developments in national health in recent years have been positive: the birth rate has risen and life expectancy has increased more rapidly in Estonia than the European average. Progress over the last decade has also seen the nation’s health care system become one of the most cost-effective on the continent.

At the same time, we have yet to reach the level of Western Europe and the Nordic countries, which is what we are aiming for. We still have a long way to go, and the ratio of births to deaths remains negative. Health is something we should value in and of itself, and yet it also has a significant impact on the economy: a healthy population is more productive and more flexible. It is estimated that poor health affects Estonia’s GDP by anywhere between 6% and 15% every year. However, a great deal of the health problems that occur in Estonia are preventable: the three main causes of premature death are cardio-vascular diseases, tumours and injuries, all of which are significantly influenced by health behaviour and environmental factors.

Facts:

• The average life expectancy in Estonia is 73.2, while the European Union average is 78.
• The rate of deaths from diseases of the circulatory organs in Estonia is 3.5 times higher than that of ‘old’ Europe, and the number of deaths caused by external factors is 4 times higher.

ERTA’s starting points and objectives

Overall objective: long life and quality of life

• By 2020 the average age to which men are living in good health in Estonia will be 60 and for women 65, while the average life expectancy will have risen to 75 for men and 84 for women.
• How long we live per se is not as important as how long we remain healthy and active.

This objective will be achieved through activities in five different fields: social cohesion; children’s and young people’s health; the environment; healthy lifestyles; and health care.

  Summary of Actions in 2009 under the Implementation Plan 2009-2013

  Action Plan of the National Health Plan 2009-2020 (NHP) for 2011