Health

Everyone in Estonia has the right to live in an environment that supports good health and to make healthy choices. The healthier we are, the longer we can lead a fulfilling life and the longer our life expectancy will be.

Health has a significant impact on our ability to cope with everyday life, on our social and economic contribution and on the overall development of our country. The World Health Organization (WHO) defines health as “a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity”. The right to the protection of health is a fundamental human right.

Health statistics provide an overview of the health status of Estonian people, the factors that influence health, and the accessibility of health care services.

We publish the following statistics:

• access to health care;
• health status;
• general data on disabled people, their employment and coping.

The statistics are broken down by age, sex, region and other characteristics.

Access to health care covers the accessibility of family doctors, specialised doctors and dentists. The statistics on people with disabilities focus on their employment and coping.

Health statistics help us understand how people’s health varies across different social groups, what the biggest health-related concerns are, and where more support and services are needed. The statistics are used to shape health, social and labour policies, to develop health care services and to improve people’s quality of life.