Institute of Public Health researchers present first findings on public attitudes towards healthcare in Latvia

On 17 April 2026, a seminar took place at the Rīga Stradiņš University (RSU) Anatomy Museum, where first findings from the survey ‘Public attitudes towards healthcare system in Latvia’ were presented. Leading industry experts and institutional representatives took part in the event.

The study is being implemented within the framework of the international project Adolescent and Adult Perspectives on European Health System Performance: A Four-Country Study (AAPEHS, No. ES RTD/2024/33). The project is being carried out under the European Commission’s Horizon Europe programme, specifically the THCS European Partnership grant, and involves partners from Switzerland, the Netherlands, Scotland, and Latvia.

In Latvia, the project is being implemented by researchers from the RSU Institute of Public Health under the leadership of Prof. Anita Vileruša. The seminar was opened by Asst. Prof. Lauma Spriņģe, Deputy Director for Academic Affairs of the Institute of Public Health.

During the seminar, the project team introduced participants to the study methodology and provided an insight into the first findings. The findings describe how residents use and do not use healthcare services, how well the healthcare system performs, what users experience, and how the system is evaluated overall.

The event was attended by representatives of the Ministry of Health, the Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, the National Health Service, the Central Statistical Bureau, regional hospitals, the Latvian Medical Association, the Public Health Association of Latvia, and other professional and non-governmental organisations.

During the discussions, attendees highly appreciated the data obtained, emphasising its importance in improving understanding of public attitudes towards the healthcare system, its performance, subjective experience, and evaluation. Until now, information of this kind had not been systematically collected in Latvia; however, it is essential for implementing evidence-based reforms and creating a higher-quality, more accessible, and people-centred healthcare system.

The research team is currently continuing to compile the survey results. The full report is scheduled for publication in mid-June 2026.