Approaches to assessing reserves to reduce mortality in Russia

Abstract

The relevance of the study is due to the need for scientific substantiation of target indicators and their quantitative expression in the development of programs to reduce mortality. The purpose of the work: to substantiate approaches to assessing the reserves for reducing mortality using socio-economic, medical, demographic, and behavioral tools. We used official data from Rosstat, international databases on mortality, as well as the results of the sociological study “Demographic well-being in Russia”, which was conducted in late 2019 - early 2020 in 6 federal districts. Different approaches can be used to estimate mortality reduction reserves, depending on the goal. The socio-economic approach makes it possible to assess the potential for increasing life expectancy based on the dynamics of the growth in living standards, as well as social policies in the field of reducing inequality. The medico-demographic approach determines the priority areas of efforts. Behavioral approaches provide insights into maximum achievable levels of life expectancy, while comparing them with self-assessed life expectancy reveals the extent of “hindrances” and key issues that need to be addressed. Russia has a lower life expectancy in comparison with countries with a similar level of economic development. Losses are inadequately high: in men of working age, which is determined primarily by an unhealthy lifestyle; for women - at older ages, depending on the availability and quality of health care. The desired life expectancy of the inhabitants of Russia is only slightly higher than the indicators actually achieved in the most developed countries. Significant declines in life expectancy are associated with poor self-reported health, low levels of education, and lack of employment not only due to lack of work (unemployment), but also due to unwillingness to work. These factors should be taken into account when developing programs to reduce mortality, since in the absence of a need for longevity, it is impossible to motivate people to a healthy lifestyle.