Latvian hospitals ran a budget deficit of EUR 20mn in the first half of 2024, according to the Latvian Hospital Association (LSB), LSM reports. Emergency services alone cost EUR 8mn more than planned. Several regional hospitals reported that they had already used a large part of the state-funded annual quota for medical services in the…
Air quality in the capital cities of the three Baltic States is best in Estonia’s Tallinn and worst in Latvia’s Riga, according to a new study by the European Environment Agency (EEA), LSM reports. Tallinn ranked 9th out of altogether 372 cities in Europe with “good” air quality that is better than the World Health…
A potential cholera case has been recorded in Estonia for the first time in over 30 years, according to the Estonian Health Board (Terviseamet), ERR reports. A child who was hospitalised in Tallinn after returning from overseas tested positive for cholera. Another child from the same family who developed similar symptoms was hospitalised as well….
Medical experts in Latvia have warned that drug use among adolescents is rising, LSM reports. The number of young drug users admitted to hospital is also rising, and some of them overdose repeatedly, the experts said. Statistics show that the number of young people who have tried and regularly use narcotics is increasing. The data…
Latvia’s Ministry of Economy and Ministry of Welfare have proposed reducing the amount that employers pay for sick leave, LSM reports. Under the proposal, the first day of sick leave would remain unpaid, while days 2-3 would be compensated at 60% of the salary and days 4-8 at 70%. From the 9th day onwards, the…
Smoking rates in Latvia are rising again after a decade of decline, LSM reports. Children are starting to smoke at a younger age, with a notable increase in electronic cigarette use among those aged 15-24 years. Public health experts highlight the misconception among parents that electronic cigarettes are less harmful than traditional ones. They emphasise…
Satisfaction with life in the Baltic States was lowest in Latvia in 2022, according to Eurostat data, LSM reported. Residents in Latvia rated their overall life satisfaction at just 6.8 out of 10 points in 2022, which was up from 6.7 in 2021. The indicator stood at 7.1 (7.0) points in Lithuania and 7.2 (7.2)…
The Latvian parliament, the Saeima, has approved amendments raising the smoking age limit from 18 to 20 years as of 1 January 2025, LSM reports. The law covers cigarettes, tobacco products, herbal smoking items, electronic smoking devices, and refill containers. Violations can result in fines of EUR 280-700 for individuals and EUR 700-7,100 for legal…
More than every tenth person in Latvia is lonely, according to a Norstat poll for LSM. The survey showed that 13% of residents feel lonely throughout the year, while 25% feel lonelier during autumn and winter. As many as 20% of young people aged 18-29 years feel lonely regardless of the season and 32% during…