Norwegian experience in identifying and reducing health inequalities

On 29-30 April 2015 the representatives of the Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Institute of Hygiene and Ministry of Health of the Republic of Lithuania were participated in National meeting of Sunne kommuner in Lillehammer and in the meeting / discussion in Norwegian Institute of Public Health.

Study visit was organized under the implementation of the Norwegian Financial Mechanism 2009–2014 Programme No LT11 “Public Health Initiatives” (hereinafter – Programme) and its project „Development of the Model for the Strengthening of the Capacities to Identify and Reduce Health Inequalities“ (hereinafter – Project). The main aim of the study visit was to learn about Norwegian experience in the field of identifying and reducing health inequalities.

During the National meeting of Sunne kommuner (the topic for the meeting was “from knowledge to action”) (Sunne kommuner is part of the WHO’s Healthy City Network with 22 members (municipalities and regions) and meeting in Norwegian Institute of Public Health representatives from Lithuanian institutions learned more about the Norwegian experience in the field of identifying and reducing health inequalities and assessed how it can be adapted while implementing the Project.

Representatives of the Norwegian Institute of Public Health and NOVA Research Institute presented:

* Immigration and mortality: the impact of immigration on educational inequalities in mortality in Norway;

* The health information systems of the Norwegian Institute of Public Health;

* Social inequalities in health in Norway;

* Slovenia experience in implementing project under the Norwegian Financial Mechanism 2009–2014 Programme in public health field.

Representatives of Ministry of Health of the Republic of Lithuania presented Programme, Programme news, intended results and Lithuanian policies in the field of identifying and reducing health inequalities.

During the study visit bilateral contacts were established, potential cooperation in implementing forthcomming Bilateral fund activities and possible future cooperation prospects were discussed.

Study visit was financed by the Bilateral cooperation fund under the Programme in order to promote and strengthen bilateral relations between Norway and Lithuania. Applications for the Bilateral cooperation fund under the Programme (measure B) are accepted on continuous basis until March 1, 2017.

Moments of National meeting of Sunne kommuner in Lillehammer:

Moments of meeting in Norwegian Institute of Public Health: