ABSTRACT
Life expectancy had decreased dramatically since the break-up of the Soviet Union, mainly as a result of diseases caused by malnutrition, smoking or alcohol consumption. Although Russia and the Baltic states were considered to be most at risk from tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS, some went so far as to suggest that the epidemics could destabilise the political climate in northern Europe as a whole. This chapter continues with a brief review of the burgeoning literature in international politics on health issues and health as a global public good. The most important instruments at state level to foster such interaction have been the Barents Euro-Arctic Region in the northernmost parts of mainland Europe and the Council of the Baltic Sea States covering the area around the Baltic Sea, established in 1993 and 1992, respectively. The chapter also presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in this book.
