Russians to Halve Every 40 Years under Present Conditions.
MOSCOW, October 21 (Itar-Tass) - Chairman of the State Duma Committee for Health Protection Nikolai Gerasimenko said that "Russia takes one of the last places in Europe as to the mortality rate and life expectancy".
The conference is being held in Moscow on a decision of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) and the leadership of the State Duma. Its deliberations are attended by prominent politicians from more than ten European countries, State Duma deputies, leaders of regional administrations and social sphere workers.
Speaking at a press conference on Thursday, Gerasimenko said mortality rate is especially high among able-bodied men over accidents, poisoning, injuries and cardiovascular diseases. The number of people suffering from chronic diseases, has increased in the country.
These are, above all, diseases of blood and hematogenic organs (100 percent rise), the nervous system (26 percent), and digestive organs (24 percent). Oncological diseases are also on the rise.
Problems, caused by AIDS, TB, syphilis, drug addiction and alcoholism, are also a big headache. The level of TB incidence rose by 28 percent since 1995, amounting to 76 cases per 100,000 in 1998.
Referring to expert estimates of Russian and foreign specialists, Gerasimenko said that "if the present level of public health and present trends in the birth rate, mortality and deteriorating health conditions persist, the population in the greater part of Russian regions will halve every 35-40 years".
In the opinion of the State Duma committee chairman, care for the public health system and for cutting the mortality rate should be the priority area in actions to overcome negative trends.
It is high time for Russia to work out and materialise a single scientifically substantiated strategy subordinated to a common goal: to ensure rights of people to life and health.
It is important to recognise, at the top level, the need to draft a national programme of public health protection and to approve a plan for emergency measures to provide population with medical aid in compliance with the Russian Constitution, Gerasimenko stressed.