Development of a Model for the Strengthening of the Capacities to Identify and Reduce Health Inequalities

Project facts

Project promoter:
Lithuanian University of Health Sciences
Project Number:
LT11-0002
Target groups
Civil servants/Public administration staff
Status:
Completed
Initial project cost:
€613,161
Final project cost:
€541,497
From Norway Grants:
€ 460,272
The project is carried out in:
Lithuania

Description

Global trends lead to general health improvement, but different groups have different improvement rates which result in significant health disparities at national and international level. Such differences are one of the major health challenges in both Europe and the world. In this context the project aims at strengthening at the Lithuanian national and municipal levels the administrative capacities of persons participating in policy making and implementation in different sectors (health and other sectors contributing to health). Also specialists working in municipal public health bureaus in the field of reduction of social health inequalities and related fields of health equity and inter-sectorial cooperation which are relevant in public policy making promoting health equity oriented towards the complex reduction of socio-economic inequalities in health are targeted by the project. A model for identification of health inequalities, measurement and reduction according to the international and national standard will be established using tools such as legal documentation analysis and human resources potential analysis.

Summary of project results

The global tendencies show improvement in socio-economic situation and health of residents, however different groups have different improvement rates, which result in significant health inequalities. Such differences are one of the major health challenges in both Europe and the world. The project aimed to solve the problems of Lithuanian health inequalities through development of administrative capacities to identify, evaluate and reduce health inequalities on national and regional level. This aim has been achieved through (1) preparation of relevant methodical recommendations and (2) strengthening of administrative capacities of persons participating in health policy making and implementation at Lithuanian national and regional levels as well as administrative capacities of specialists working in municipal public health offices. Under the 1st component of the project methodical recommendations for monitoring and assessment of health inequalities and practical recommendations for reducing health inequalities have been prepared, published and distributed. In addition, the “SveNAS“ platform for visualization of health inequalities of Lithuania has been created. By using this interactive online map, health information from county, municipality or district can be obtained and compared with the average values of the whole country and other administrative units. Under the 2nd component of the project two training programmes have been prepared (one for the specialists of national and municipal authorities dealing with issues of health inequalities and the second for specialists working in municipal public health offices) and 9 training sessions conducted. 202 participants attended the training. In addition, 3 training courses “Intersectoral Collaboration to Reduce Health Inequalities“ have been implemented. The results of the project also included preparation and publishing of a course book “Health Inequalities: Experience and Prospects”. The results of the project have been presented in the closing conference „Reducing Health Inequalities in Lithuania – the Next Step”, which attracted a large number of guests from relevant Lithuanian national institutions, municipal public health bureaus, municipal administrations, universities and other entities concerned. The topics of the conference have been presented by Lithuanian lectures and by guest speakers from the Norwegian Institute of Public Health and World Health Organisation and Imperial College London.

Summary of bilateral results