Estimated healthy life years for a Latvian: Not numerously abundant
In the European Union (EU), the average number of healthy life years at birth in 2023 was 63.1 years, with a significant variation among member states [1]. Malta led the pack with the highest number of healthy life years for both men and women, followed by Bulgaria for women (71.1 years and 71.0 years, respectively). However, Latvia found itself at the bottom of the list, with 51.2 years for men and 54.3 years for women, which is lower than any other EU country mentioned [1].
Healthy life years (HLY) represent the number of years lived in good health, free from activity limitations. In the EU, men tend to spend a greater proportion of their shorter lives free from activity limitations, with HLY accounting for 80% of total life expectancy, compared to 75% for women [1].
The variation in HLY among EU countries is influenced by multiple factors. Countries with higher HLY tend to have healthier lifestyles, including better diets, lower smoking rates, and more physical activity. However, Latvia’s lower HLY suggests a higher prevalence of risk factors such as smoking, alcohol consumption, or obesity [1].
Access to quality healthcare and preventive services also plays a crucial role in healthy life expectancy. Countries with well-developed, accessible health services generally have higher HLY. Latvia’s healthcare system faces challenges that may impact its population’s health status [1].
Socioeconomic factors, such as income levels, education, employment, and social support, also affect people’s health and functioning. Lower socioeconomic status, typical in some Baltic and Eastern European countries including Latvia, is linked to poorer health outcomes and reduced HLY [1].
Chronic diseases such as cardiovascular conditions, diabetes, and respiratory diseases reduce healthy years. Latvia has higher mortality and morbidity rates related to such conditions than many Western European countries [1].
Environmental and social determinants, like environmental quality and urban versus rural living conditions, also contribute to health disparities. Estonia had a lower number of healthy life years for men than Malta, Italy, and Sweden, but higher than Latvia (56.5 years) [1].
In summary, Latvia’s comparatively low HLY reflect a combination of lifestyle risks, healthcare and social challenges, and a higher prevalence of chronic diseases relative to EU averages, which explains the variation seen across EU countries [1].
[1] European Commission. (2023). Health at a Glance: Europe 2023. Retrieved from https://ec.europa.eu/health/sites/default/files/health_at_a_glance_2023_en.pdf
- The European Union (EU) in 2023 reported an average of 63.1 healthy life years (HLY) at birth, mentioning considerable variations among member states.
- In the EU, men generally spend a greater proportion of their lives free from activity limitations, with HLY accounting for 80% of their total life expectancy, compared to 75% for women.
- High HLY is associated with healthier lifestyles, including better diets, lower smoking rates, and increased physical activity, as seen in countries like Malta and Bulgaria.
- Access to quality healthcare and preventive services further influences HLY, with countries like Malta and Sweden having well-developed, accessible health services.
- On the other hand, Latvia's lower HLY can be attributed to higher prevalence of risk factors such as smoking, alcohol consumption, and obesity.
- Chronic diseases, like cardiovascular conditions, diabetes, and respiratory diseases, significantly reduce healthy years and contribute to Latvia's lower HLY compared to Western European countries.
- Socioeconomic factors, such as income levels, education, employment, and social support, impact HLY, with Latvia, among other Baltic and Eastern European countries, reporting poorer health outcomes and reduced HLY.
- Environmental and social determinants, like urban versus rural living conditions, contribute to health disparities within EU countries, as observed in the case of Estonia, which has lower HLY compared to Malta, Italy, and Sweden, but still higher than Latvia.
