History of public health. History of public health research in Estonia: a review

Abstract

The University of Tartu (which was founded In 1632) and its Department of Public Health (Hygiene) have been the centre of public health research in Estonia. Environmental factors such as living conditions, water, soil, air and food have been the traditional topics. The study on blind people and people suffering from eye diseases among the rural population of Livonia conducted by Professor Himmelstiern in 1856–1859 proved to be the first epidemlological study in Russia. Professor Korber, a supporter of a statistical approach in research, founded the local school of demographers in 1890s. Professor Khlopin's stay in Tartu (1895–1903) was a very fruitful period. He and his students paid much attention to communal hygiene. Professor Rammul, the head of the department in 1920–1940, initiated and supervised an extensive medicogeographical study of overall Estonia. The Second World War and post-war years caused a standstill in research. A revival occurred in the end of 1950s when Professor Kask returned to the department. After his death (1968), Associate Professor Ulbo and Professor Jannus continued his work. Their main study areas were concerned with public health aspects of the water supply, nutrition of pre-school children and their provision with vitamins, work conditions and health risks of some occupations. During resent years the area of research has enlarged to comprise health risks due to lifestyle factors, health economics and health care management topics. After the war special medical research institutes were established. They have made a considerable contribution to public health research in Estonia.