Mapping the status of disease prevention and health promotion at primary health care level in Estonia

In Estonia, the burden of premature mortality from preventable diseases continues to be high though the rates have been decreasing in recent years. Primary health care plays a central role in the health system, providing a platform for the interface of health services with communities and families and for intersectoral and interprofessional cooperation and health promotion. The study, Disease prevention and health promotion in primary care – needs and possibilities “, carried out in Estonia from November 2008 to June 2009, was initiated to identify the needs of primary health care (PHC) professionals – such as family doctors, family nurses, school nurses and occupational health doctors – in their routine work in disease prevention and health promotion, and the possibilities to strengthen their role in preventing noncommunicable diseases. The results show the level of readiness of the PHC professionals to practise health promotion and disease prevention in the current settings. The study also determined aspects that could be improved to enhance disease prevention at the PHC level in Estonia. A number of recommendations have been made as an outcome of the study.

KEYWORDS
CHRONIC DISEASE – prevention and control
HEALTH PROMOTION
PRIMARY HEALTH CARE
DELIVERY OF HEALTH CARE
EVALUATION STUDIES
EPIDEMIOLOGIC METHODS
ESTONIA