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Commercial Determinants of Noncommunicable Diseases in the WHO European Region

This report highlights the substantial impact of commercial determinants on noncommunicable diseases (‎NCDs)‎ in the WHO European Region. Nearly 7500 deaths per day in the Region are attributed to commercial determinants, such as tobacco, alcohol, processed food, fossil fuels and occupational practices. These commercial products and practices contribute to 25% of all deaths in the Region. The report’s chapters systematically explore various facets of how commercial interests exacerbate NCDs and key strategies used by commercial actors to negatively influence NCD-related policies at the national and international level. The report also provides selected case studies from the Region to illustrate key strategies and outcomes of industry influence on health policies. The report then calls for urgent and coordinated action to address the commercial determinants of NCDs. It advocates for building coalitions based on the values of equity, sustainability, and resilience. Public health actors are urged to develop competencies in economic and legal frameworks, enforce transparency, and manage conflicts of interest effectively. The report underscores the need for robust financial reforms and strict regulation to curb industry power and protect public health. By implementing these strategies, the Region can accelerate progress towards global NCD targets and Sustainable Development Goals by 2030.

Physical activity guidelines

"Physical activity for Latvian residents" - guidelines for adults and children.

Annex III to Regulation (EC) No 1925/2006 of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards trans fat, other than trans fat naturally occurring in fat of animal origin

Measures to limit or virtually eliminate industrially-produced trans fatty acids in food intended for the final consumer and/or for supply to retail. Adopted by The European Commission from April 2019. (Available in multiple languages)

European practical and patient-centred guidelines for adult obesity management in primary care

This article aims to provide obesity management guidelines specifically tailored to GPs, favouring a practical patient-centred approach. The focus is on GP communication and motivational interviewing as well as on therapeutic patient education. The new guidelines highlight the importance of avoiding stigmatization, something frequently seen in different health care settings. In addition, managing the psychological aspects of the disease, such as improving self-esteem, body image and quality of life must not be neglected.

Transforming Baltic Diets

Workshop - Defining and developing criteria for sustainable and healthy Baltic diets in order to generate a tangible future roadmap • Coordinating existing data across the region that reflects the current state of the Baltic food system and its components and harvesting useful data and analyses that can help policy-makers to develop better and more targeted solutions • Creating an independent Baltic future food “lab” to put new and innovative ideas to the test, and to scale up what already works in order to create more buy-in within the region

NCD Country Profiles 2018 (Obesity Targets)

The profiles also provide data on the key metabolic risk factors, namely raised blood pressure, raised blood glucose and obesity and National Targets on Obesity (as of 2017)

School Fruit, Vegetables and Milk Scheme

"Applicable since 1 August 2017, the EU school fruit, vegetables and milk scheme combines two previous schemes (the school fruit and vegetables scheme and the school milk scheme) under a single legal framework for more efficiency and an enhanced focus on health and educational. The scheme supports the distribution of products, educational measures and information measures. The scheme supports the distribution of fruit, vegetables, milk and certain milk products to schoolchildren, from nursery to secondary school. EU countries approve a list of products (in collaboration with their health and nutrition authorities) which will help achieve the schemes objective of helping children to follow a healthy diet. Priority is for fresh fruit and vegetables and for plain milk. In order to support a varied diet and/or specific nutritional needs, EU countries may also make processed fruit and vegetables such as juices and soups and certain milk products such as yoghurt and cheese, available. Additionally, under stricter conditions, milk-based drinks may be included." - EU Commission

Advertising to children regulation

Advertising aimed at children and young people shall not encourage or condone excessive consumption of foods and beverages containing substances the excessive consumption of which is not recommended, such as fats, trans fatty acids, salt or sodium and sugars. Adopted by Saeima from November 2016. (Available only in Latvian language)

Energy drinks Law

Latvia has banned the sale and advertisement of energy drinks containing caffeine or stimulants like taurine and guarana to people under the age of 18.

GNPR 2016-2017: Infant and young child nutrition - Breastfeeding promotion and/or counselling

This programme was reported by countries for the 2nd WHO Global Nutrition Policy Review 2016-2017 module on actions related to infant and young child nutrition. Information provided by WHO GINA Programme.

Health Promotion program for Jelgava city 2016-2022

Physical activity strategy for the WHO European Region 2016-2025

The strategy focuses on physical activity as a leading factor in health and well-being in the European Region, with particular attention to the burden of non-communicable diseases associated with insufficient activity levels and sedentary behaviour. It aims to cover all forms of physical activity throughout the life-course.

Ministru kabineta noteikumi Nr. 696 Noteikumi par p?rtik? lietojamu s?li [Regulations of the Cabinet of Ministers No. 696 Rules for salt used in food]

National regulation with maximum thresholds for manufactured food/drink content relating to specific unhealthy ingredients adopted by Cabinet of Ministers from December 2015. (Available only in Latvian language)

Riga Initiative

Based on the WHO Health Cities Initiative. Improving access to public health programmes, developing health cities and creating healthy and active recreation

European Union (EU) Action Plan on Childhood Obesity 2014-2020

EU Action plan. To contribute to halting the rise in overweight and obesity in children and young people (0-18 years) by 2020

Excise tax on non alcoholic beverages

Since 2016 excise duty rate increased to 7.40Euro per 100 Litres.

Outdoor Fitness Exercise Programmes

Project to show adults the possibility of using outdoor exercise equipment which is available for free in many parks and beaches.

Sports Policy Guidelines 2013-2020

Creativity in Physical Activity

This intervention aims to increase daily physical activity by promoting appropriate and available forms of physical activity in local communities for adults over 45.

NDC targets for Latvia

Latvia's NCD targets include the aim of reducing the proportion of people aged 15-64 years who are overweight or obese to 46% by 2020 (49.1% 2012).

Nordic Walking for the Elderly

Free Nordic walking lessons for the elderly in every territorial part of Riga to promote daily physical activity and social interaction.

Regulations on Nutritional Norms for Students of Educational Institutions, Clients of Social Care and Social Rehabilitation Institutions and Patients of Medical Institutions

In 2012, regulations were introduced which set mandatory nutritional content and quality levels in public institutions. including in school meals.

EU Regulation 1169/2011

Passed in 2011, EU Regulation 1169/2011 on the Provision of Food Information to Consumers requires a list of the nutrient content of most pre-packaged food to be provided on the back of the pack from October 2011.

Evaluation of the EU school milk and fruit scheme

European Court of Auditors (2011) Are the school milk and school fruit schemes effective? Special Report No 10. Publications Office of the European Union, Luxembourg.

Memorandum of Cooperation

The Ministry of Health signed a Memorandum of Cooperation with the Federation of Food Enterprises and the soft drink business association on changes to children-orientated soft drink advertising

Memorandum of Cooperation with industry representatives

In 2011, the Latvian Ministry of Health signed a Memorandum of Cooperation with the Federation of Food Enterprises and the Association of Soft Drink Companies to encourage companies not to advertise soft drinks to children aged 12 or under. The Memorandum applies to soft drink marketing in movie theatres and on TV if the audience consists of at least 50% children, and includes marketing activities on the internet and in the press.

Public Health Strategy 2011-2017

A medium-term public health policy planning document which aims to prolong the healthy life years of the Latvian population and to prevent untimely deaths, while maintaining, improving and restoring health.

The Implementation Plan of Measures to Supply Fruit and Vegetables to Schools

This plan aims to increase the consumption of fresh fruit and vegetables by the students of comprehensive education institutions.

Healthy Stadia Network

"At Healthy Stadia, we encourage professional and amateur sports clubs, league operators, national and international governing bodies of sport to develop their stadia and sports facilities as health-promoting environments. We do this by supporting them to adopt a range of policies and practices in support of the health of their fans, their staff and the surrounding community. The definition we give to Healthy Stadia is: Healthy Stadia are… those who promote the health of visitors, fans, players, employees and the surrounding community… places where people can go to have a positive, healthy experience playing or watching sport."

EU health and nutrient claims regulation

Regulation nº 1924/2006 establishes EU-wide rules on the use of specified health and nutrient claims. The European Commission approves claims provided they are based on scientific evidence and accessible consumers. The European Food Safety Authority is responsible for evaluating the scientific evidence supporting health claims. Nutrition claims may only be used on food defined as "healthy" by a nutrient profile.

Latvian Nutrition Council

The Nutrition Council was established in 2006 with the aim: "To promote the implementation of nutrition policy by analyzing public health problems related to nutrition and providing proposals for solving these problems"

Nutrition-Friendly Schools Initiative (NFSI)

"The NFSI is a school-based programme that addresses the double burden of malnutrition –undernutrition, including micronutrient deficiencies, and overweight/obesity. It is a tool for developing a school environment that promotes the nutritional well-being of school-age children and increases their physical activity levels."

Sports Policy Guidelines 2004-2009

This document, besides addressing the support to athletes and competitive sport, also defines the responsibility for compulsory physical education in children and to provide access to sport for disabled people.

Dietary guidelines for adults (Latvian: Vesel?ga uztura ieteikumi pieaugušajiem)

The Latvian dietary guidelines for children were published in 2003, the guidelines for the elderly in 2007 and those for adults a year later, in 2008. Guidelines for pregnant woman were published in 2017 as well as those for vegetarians. An updated version of guidelines for adults and for the consumption of vegetables, fruits and berries were launched in 2020. There are plans to revise dietary guidelines for children and elderly in 2021.

Guidelines for healthy nutrition 2003-2013 (Pamatnostadnes Veseligs uzturs 2003-2013)

The document includes guidelines for healthy eating and the goal to increase public awareness on the importance of regular physical activity.