| Abstract: | The University of Tartu (which was founded In 1632) and itsDepartment of Public Health (Hygiene) have been the centre ofpublic health research in Estonia. Environmental factors suchas living conditions, water, soil, air and food have been thetraditional topics. The study on blind people and people sufferingfrom eye diseases among the rural population of Livonia conductedby Professor Himmelstiern in 18561859 proved to be thefirst epidemlological study in Russia. Professor Körber,a supporter of a statistical approach in research, founded thelocal school of demographers in 1890s. Professor Khlopin's stayin Tartu (18951903) was a very fruitful period. He andhis students paid much attention to communal hygiene. ProfessorRammul, the head of the department in 19201940, initiatedand supervised an extensive medicogeographical study of overallEstonia. The Second World War and post-war years caused a standstillin research. A revival occurred in the end of 1950s when ProfessorKask returned to the department. After his death (1968), AssociateProfessor Ulbo and Professor Jannus continued his work. Theirmain study areas were concerned with public health aspects ofthe water supply, nutrition of pre-school children and theirprovision with vitamins, work conditions and health risks ofsome occupations. During resent years the area of research hasenlarged to comprise health risks due to lifestyle factors,health economics and health care management topics. After thewar special medical research institutes were established. Theyhave made a considerable contribution to public health researchin Estonia. |
