Praxis assessed the ESF funded programme „Measures supporting healthy choices 2010-2011“. The idea was to analyze the relevance of regional activities. The analysis concentrates on 15 activities that were carried out during this programme’s activity 3.1.2, named “Preventing dropping out of employment and the loss of labour productivity by developing the support structure for regional expertise and training”. The direct goals of activity 3.1.2 are to increase the motivation of regional health promoters and create opportunities for developing regional health promotion.

The analysis concluded that the importance of aims, target group and evidence-basedness is spread out before reaching the project promoters. The importance of using a programme and evidence-based measures, in addition to having general aims and a clearly-defined target group, do not reach from the programme level to the cooperation agreement. The conclusions should specify those important aspects the project promotors have to provide to keep the focus of the programme.

A target group different to the programme’s guidelines might mean that the subjects covered are not quite fit to purpose. When it comes to health promotion, it is important to include different sectors, representatives of different fields, collaborators, etc., but the aims of activity 3.1.2 are quite specific so the target group is limited. The county governments proposed to expand the target group for activity 3.1.2 to also include the working age population, which would mean that the target group criterion regarding the activities carried out would be formally fulfilled, but would not help to reach the essential aims.

Praxis’ health policy analyst Riina Sikkut said that the activities carried out do not guarantee an efficient use of finances or reaching the aims.

When the regional training needs are determined and incorporated into the health council’s working plan, then based on current info it cannot be said that the activities are in vain, but they are not directly aimed towards fulfilling the goals and solving the problems of activity 3.1.2. These activities can indirectly lift the health promoters’ motivation or help to develop new measures for health promotion, but that is likely accidental. This deviation is not limited to the aim of activity 3.1.2 – the actions carried out do not greatly contribute to reaching the general aim of the measure, which is to increase the offer of qualified workforce, improve the quality of working life and prevent dropping out of the labour market due to health reasons.

See also

Tervislikke valikuid toetavad meetmed 2010-2013

Tervislikke valikuid toetavad meetmed 2010-2011