ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY AND HEALTH STATUS IN THE BALTIC STATES IN COMPARISON WITH SLOVAK AND CZECH REPUBLICS

The paper deals with the impact of environmental quality on human health in the Baltic States. The quality of environment and health are the core indicators of quality of life and they are closely interrelated. The indicators system to assess environmental quality and health status was developed to assess the impact of environmental quality on health in the Baltic States based on regular consolidated statistical data provided by EUROSTAT. The paper presents the concept of assessment of environmental quality and health status dimensions in the quality of life measurements and provides analysis of dynamics of environmental and health indicators in Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia. The integrated environmental quality and health indicators were developed and assessed in the Baltic States since EU accession in 2004. The relationship between the main environmental and health status indicators is assessed. Comparison of environmental quality and health indicators in the Baltic states and in Czech Republic and Slovakia are provided as well. Based on the analysis performed policy recommendations are presented.