To raise awareness of prevention challenges in Latvia, promote public understanding of the importance of timely healthcare, and reduce barriers to preventive health checks, healthcare companies Veselības centru apvienība (VCA), Centrālā laboratorija and Mēness aptieka, together with industry partners, have established National Prevention Day. The initiative was officially launched on 9 September 2026 with a presentation of the latest survey data on public health behaviours and an expert discussion entitled “The Prevention Gap – a Matter of Personal Choice or Lack of Opportunity?”
“The more we invest in prevention and early diagnosis, the sooner we can identify health risks and prevent serious diseases from developing. This is why we are establishing National Prevention Day and creating ‘Prevention Stops’, bringing healthcare professionals closer to people. The recent public health behaviour survey clearly shows that there is a significant gap between knowledge about health and taking practical steps towards prevention. However, knowledge alone is not enough – people need both the motivation and the opportunity to take simple and timely action. Sometimes, a single conversation, a blood pressure measurement or a simple test can be enough to identify a potential risk and take the first step towards better health,” says Zane Kaktiņa, Chair of the Management Board of Veselības centru apvienība and Centrālā laboratorija.
Less than half of the population reported having visited their family doctor for preventive purposes or having undergone other health checks in the past year, such as testing their blood glucose or cholesterol levels, according to a population survey.[¹] Latvia continues to have the highest rate of preventable mortality in the European Union (EU), while it also ranks among EU countries with the lowest rates of healthy life years and life expectancy.[²] At the same time, funding allocated to prevention remains insufficient and fluctuates, falling significantly below the OECD average.
The aim of National Prevention Day is to strengthen prevention as a regular and accessible opportunity for everyone to take care of their health, encouraging people to assess health risks in a timely manner, make use of preventive healthcare opportunities and develop everyday habits that support a longer and healthier life. During the Prevention month - September - people across Latvia will have access to a range of free events featuring expert advice and activities aimed at promoting better prevention and healthier habits.
[¹] A representative survey of the Latvian population was conducted in August 2026 by Mēness aptieka, VCA and Centrālā laboratorija in cooperation with the research agency Norstat, surveying 1,004 respondents. [²] Eurostat statistics on preventable and treatable mortality.
