1. NCD IN LITHUANIA Lithuanian University of Health Sciences
National Health Board
Aurelijus Veryga, MD, PhD, Assoc. prof.

2. LITHUANIA Area - 65 300 km² Population – 3. 239. 032
Density – 52 people/km²
Age structure:
0-14 years - 14,2 %
15-64 years - 69,6 %
over 65 years - 16,2 %
Average Lifespan (73):
woman (78,56)
man (67,51 )

3. Advisory body for the Parliament – National Health Board
Health System
Decision makers:
Parliament Comity of Health
Ministry of Health (Public Health Department)
Advisory body for the Parliament – National Health Board
Practically involved in NCD prevention:
Individual level:
Primary health centers – family doctors
Policlinics, hospitals
Community (municipality level):
Public health bureaus

4. Standardized death rates per 100 000 population (year 2007)
Cardiovascular diseases
Neoplasm's
Respiratory diseases
Diseases of digestive system
Man
Woman
Lithuania
744,9
419,6
305,6
133.3
91,6
19,4
104,4
46,6 EU
312,0
204,5
234,6
133,2
65,2
33,0
42,5
23,6
WHO, HFA DB

5. Prevalence of NCD’s risk factors
Tobacco use (age 20-64)
daily smoking 34% males, 15% females
Risky – harmful alcohol consumption (age 15-74)
31% males, 9,5% females (AUDIT test score >=8)
Inadequate fruits and vegetable intake (age 20-64)
Reported use of vegetables at least 3 times a week 63% males, 68% females
Physical inactivity (age 20-64)
Reported physical activity (at least 30 minutes 4 days per week) 20% males, 22% females
Raised Blood Pressure (age 25-64)
60,3% in males, 44,6% females.
Obesity/overweight (age 20-64)
obesity 17% males, 20% females
overweight 61% males, 46% females

6. NCD control actions Strengths: Weaknesses:
Evidence based high level health policy strategies and documents:
National health strategy;
National Health Program;
NCD Prevention Program;
Tobacco control program;
Alcohol control program etc.
Strong scientific and research base.
Weaknesses:
Lack of involvement of other than health sectors into NCD prevention;
Low priority for financing of public health programs.

7. Lessons learned Alcohol control policy development 1996 -2007
Alcohol production companies were sold to private business;
Alcohol advertisement was allowed and restricted only in content, beer advertisement was associated with most popular sport in the country – basketball;
Alcohol sale was allowed 24 hours;
There was allowed to sell alcohol in fuel stations, sanatoriums, living houses;
Tax reductions for cider and small brewers were introduced;
Excise tax for spirits was reduced by 40% in 1999;
In 2004 after joining EU import tax disappeared;
This happened in the context of more than 20% of income grow every year until 2007;
There were licenses to sell alcohol given to the business.

8. Alcohol related problems dynamic (cases per 100 000 population)
27 % decrease in 2 years
31% decrease in 2 years

9. Alcohol policy development 2007 - 2009
Year 2008 was announced as “Year of sobriety” by the Lithuanian Parliament
Some financial recourses were allocated to informational campaigns
Alcohol advertisement was banned during day time (from 6 AM till 11 PM) in TV and radio
Excise tax was raised for alcohol and tax reductions for small brewers and cider disappeared
Alcohol selling time was reduced and it was forbidden to sell alcohol from 8 AM till 10 PM
Public discussions about alcohol problems started
Public organizations became active in alcohol control area, coalition of 25 NGO’s started active policy work
Fines for drunk drivers were increased, confiscation of cars was introduced (about 800 cars are confiscated each year), removal of the driving license introduced
Increased excise taxes come in to the place together with economical crisis and rapid decrease in people income

10. Next developments
Evaluation of National Health Program; (program has ended in 2010)
Preparation of new program;
Attempts to prepare legislation to divide fixed percentage of tobacco and alcohol excise taxes to prevention of tobacco and alcohol use;
Pilot implementation of health education program in High schools.