Health transition in Estonia: emerging new trends from the perspective of native and immigrant populations

Luule Sakkeus, Estonian Interuniversity Population Research Centre
Kati Karelson, National Institute for Health Development/Estonian Interuniversity Population Research Centre
Aldo Mäsak, Tartu University

In the analysis we proceed from the hypothesis of health transition and analyze recent trends in health development of Estonia from the perspective of divergences and convergences in health of native and immigrant population. In 50 years stagnation in mortality patterns the main trend is the enlargening gender gap, extended already to over 11 years. It might predict that female population is entering into a stage of cardiovascular revolution. Last 10 years gains in LE in general have also resulted in increasing differentials between native and immigrant population. For better understanding main determinants of recent trends we asses healthy life years expectancy (HLY) on the basis of Estonian Health Interview Survey 2006 (N=6434) in 3 main age groups separately for native and immigrant population and by main determinants: education, main occupation, country of origin, phsyical and emotional health status, behavioural patterns and access to health care.