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What is the leading cause of death in Iceland?

How does Iceland’s laws impact health care?

What kind of relationship did Luther encourage patients to have with health care providers?

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Values and Beliefs Impacting Healthcare Decisions

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Values and Beliefs Impacting Healthcare Decisions

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Iceland puts a high value on human rights and equality

Human rights are guaranteed by section VI and VII of the Iceland’s constitution

Discrimination of all type is prohibited especially gender inequality

Respect for civil liberties is highly valued

Refugees & worker’s rights are protected

Iceland’s healthcare value is similar to those of other nordic countries

All people in the country should have easy and equal access to good health care services

Universal health care system

The healthcare system is mainly paid for by taxes (75-85%)

Primary care centers are located throughout the country & are sometimes run jointly with small hospitals

Higher education is free of charge to students

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Values and Beliefs Impacting Healthcare Decisions Continued

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Values and Beliefs Impacting Healthcare Decisions Continued

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90% of the population in Iceland are Lutherans. Lutheranism is a religion derived from Christianity that is based on doctrines first expressed by Martin Luther in his effort to make changes within the Catholic Church. Lutherans beliefs related to healthcare are somewhat congruent to secular culture. Luther himself held doctors at high standards and encouraged collaboration between them and pastors in caring for the sick.

Lutherans generally favor open communication between caregiver and patient. (Abbot & Nelson, 2002)

Abortion has been a controversy of major concern among Lutherans for many years. In most situations, Lutherans disapprove abortion. However, they do believe certain situations necessitate termination. Examples of these accepted situation include when the mother’s life is at risk, the child was conceived during forced intercourse, or the fetus has severe abnormalities.

Lutherans stand firm in their beliefs against assisted suicide. They believe intentionally  allowing a physician to kill someone is contradicting to their belief that all people are created in the image of God.

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Language:

The traditional language of Iceland is Icelandic (Germanic language)

Ex:  English | Icelandic
Women | Konur
water | Vatan

Outside of the icelandic language, Danish and German are also spoken which are Nordic languages

Communication style: direct, straight-forward, informal, and participative

Religion:

90% of Icelanders support and are part of the Evangelical Lutheran Church (official state church)

Five percent practice the Norse religion (ásatrú)

Five percent are Christian Denomination

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Interesting Facts and Immigration Trends

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Interesting Facts and Immigration Trends

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Interesting facts:

You can drink water in most rivers in Iceland

Iceland is the only NATO country that does not have an army, air force, or navy

There are more than 30 active volcanic regions scattered across the island

Over 10% of the country is covered with glaciers

The local police do not carry guns

You can see the red Northern Lights

Immigration Trends: Most people that travel to Iceland come from Poland, Denmark, and Lithuania. Iceland's immigration peaked in 2017 and then the number of immigrants decreased to 10,400 in 2020 due to COVID-19.

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Life expectancy increased to 82.6 years from 79.7 years from 2000 to 2017.

Risk Factors

27% of Icelandic adults were obese in 2017 (highest in any EU country)

Tobacco and alcohol consumption rate among the lowest in an any EU country

Leading Cause of Death is Ischemic Heart Dixsease (13%) in 2016

Iceland has a state-centred system with universal coverage (a tax-based, state-run system)

Complementary/Alternative  Medicine:

Herbal medicines include Iceland Moss,Dulse, Bilberry, and Crowberry

Acupuncture

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There has been an increase in the use of complementary and alternative medicines has been seen since 2015.

This can be considered when creating plans for treatment.

Language is another factor to consider.

Medical interpreters may be used for patients to understand diagnoses, discharge educations, and more.

The majority of Icelanders are a part of the Lutheran Church.

Luther saw illness as a “separation from God.” Death is seen as “the ultimate result of sin.” Consider being respectful if patients indulge in prayers as a way to connect back with God.

Luther favored open communication between patients and health care providers. He respected medicine but also believed the right to self-determination, whereas patients make their own decisions to their treatments.