Latvia

Background

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This map does not reflect a position by UNICEF on the legal status of any country or territory or the delimitation of any frontiers.

With Latvia’s admission to the European Union (EU) in 2004 and steady economic progress, the outlook for the country’s children has substantially improved in recent years. UNICEF will be ending its country programme in 2005. 

Issues facing children in Latvia

• Latvia’s rates of maternal mortality and under-five mortality are substantially higher than the EU average.

• Few Latvians regularly use iodized salt. Mild rates of iodine deficiency have been detected in Latvia’s infant population. The news that the government might require all retail salt to be iodized caused unexpected hoarding of non-iodized salt.

• The proportion of infants placed in state care is one of the highest in Europe, and continues to increase.

• Although HIV/AIDS incidence is low in Latvia, so too is awareness of prevention. According to a national study, only a third of young people ages 15 to 24 were fully aware of how to protect themselves against HIV infection.
   
  Activities and results for children

• The Latvian government is funding programmes to promote breastfeeding. UNICEF is helping to train health care professionals for the programmes.

• One third of all births now take place in facilities that are certified as “Baby Friendly,” which promote exclusive breastfeeding and meet other standards that improve outcomes for infants and mothers.

• The Ministry of Health has recommended prohibiting retail sales of non-iodized table salt.

• Latvia’s newest government agency, the Ministry of Children and Family Affairs, was established in 2004. One of its first orders of business was training families for participation in a fledgling foster care system, which will allow more children to leave institutional settings.

• Latvia has implemented a Child Friendly Schools programme to improve school conditions and reduce violence in schools. Teachers and other professionals who work with young people are also being trained to identify children who are victims of domestic violence or abuse.

• UNICEF lent technical support to a proposal that would include HIV prevention in the national social sciences curriculum.