Estonian people assess their health through various means

Estonian citizens employ diverse methods to evaluate their health status. From traditional practices to modern healthcare services, individuals utilize a range of tools such as regular check-ups, self-assessment apps, and alternative therapies to monitor and maintain their well-being, reflecting a holistic approach to health management within the Estonian population.

For the past twenty years, the Estonian Social Survey has been gauging Estonian residents' perceptions of their own health. The findings indicate a rise in the number of individuals reporting long-term illnesses over the years. Conversely, there's also an uptick in those rating their health positively. Epp Remmelg, a leading analyst at Statistics Estonia, delves into self-assessed health trends in Estonia and compares them with other nations.

"Overall, compared to two decades ago, there's been an increase in Estonian residents living with long-term illnesses: their percentage was 41% in 2004 and rose to 47% in 2023. However, there's also a slight rise in the proportion of residents rating their health as very good or good – from 50% in 2004 to 56% in 2023," Remmelg explained.

She noted that 2020 marked the peak of the last twenty years, with as much as 59% of the population reporting good or very good health.

Self-perceived health has notably improved among middle-aged and elderly individuals.

We understand that health typically declines with age, with variations between genders. For instance, among females aged 25–34, the percentage reporting very good or good health matches that of the 16–24 age group (85%). However, for 25–34-year-old males, this figure stands at 80%.

There's also a disparity in the 55–64 age group: middle-aged women perceive their health more favorably than men. Yet among individuals over 65, a larger percentage of women rate their health as bad or very bad compared to men – likely influenced by women's longer average life expectancy.

Remmelg highlighted several positive shifts observed in the two decades of data collected through the Estonian Social Survey.

“AMONG YOUNG PEOPLE, THE SHARE OF THOSE IN VERY GOOD OR GOOD HEALTH HAS GROWN

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Remmelg noted that among the middle-aged and elderly population, there has been an approximately 10-percentage-point increase in the share of those satisfied with their health. Additionally, there has been a significant rise in the proportion of individuals over 65 whose daily activities are not limited by health issues.

Geographically, residents of Lääne and Harju counties report the highest levels of self-perceived health, while long-term illnesses are most prevalent in Ida-Viru county.

According to recent data, the highest levels of satisfaction with health are observed in Lääne (62.5%) and Harju (62.4%) counties, as well as in Tallinn city (62.1%). Conversely, the lowest levels of satisfaction are reported in Ida-Viru county (37.9%).

Dissatisfaction with health is most pronounced among residents of Põlva county, where 24% of individuals rate their health as bad or very bad. Long-term illness, lasting at least six months, is most prevalent in Ida-Viru county, where 62.5% of residents report such conditions.

In Valga county, 58.6% of individuals aged 16 and over have a long-term illness, followed by 55.1% in Võru county, 53.3% in Järva county, and 53.2% in Põlva county. Conversely, Harju county (39.9%) and Tallinn (40.1%) have the lowest proportions of residents with long-term illnesses.

Remmelg emphasized that self-assessments of health in different counties are influenced not only by age demographics but also by various other factors such as living conditions, employment, and environmental factors.

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“THE OLDER THE POPULATION, THE HIGHER THE PREVALENCE OF LONG-TERM ILLNESSES AMONG RESIDENTS.

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Remmelg highlighted that Ida-Viru county faces additional challenges, as several major industries have adversely impacted the local ecosystem, directly affecting the self-perceived health of residents in the region.

The Estonian Social Survey employs a standardized methodology used across Europe, enabling comparisons of self-perceived health between Estonia and other European countries.

Comparative data from 2022 shows that 58% of Estonians perceive their health as good or very good, while in Lithuania, this figure is 48%, and the European average stands at 68%. Notably, Ireland and Switzerland boast the highest proportions of individuals (80%) rating their health as very good or good.

Source: BNN news