LAUSR

A solid number of studies identify Lithuania as a country with huge health inequalities. Significant mortality inequalities are found for all socio-economic variables. Both amongmales and females the most considerable inequalities are observed for the occupation, with rate ratio reaching 3.4 inmales and 2.8 in females, as well as economic activity status (males, 2.7; females, 3.1). Considerable disparities are registered by the level of education and urban/rural place of residence. Life expectancy of urbanmales exceeded that of those in rural areas by 2 years in males and 1.8 years in females in 2015. Risk differences were increasing with the increase in overall mortality of the Lithuanian population during 2005e2007, while a decline in inequalities was observed in later years. In spite of slightly improved situation, socio-economic inequalities in Lithuania are among the highest in European Union. Therefore, this public health problem has become a priority issue in the Lithuanian health policy agenda. The need for tackling health inequalities is emphasized in the main Lithuanian documents, like ‘Lithuanian Health Strategy for 2014e2025’, which was approved by Lithuanian Parliament in 2014, and ‘Action