Loss among the Russian working-age population during stable and crisis periods in the context of the major risk factors

Abstract

The topic is substantiated by ongoing urgency of COVID-19-related issues and the need to identify risk factors most relevant during crisis periods. The purpose is to evaluate impact of the main risk factors on mortality among the Russian working-age population during stable and crisis periods. The analysis is based on Rosstat mortality data among working-age population in 2011-2021. The study identified individual-related causes (behavioral risk factors), society-related (social risk groups), as well as mixed risks. During pre-crisis period, positive trends were due to decreased mortality from all causes associated with risk factors. During the pandemic, mortality due to all causes associated with risk factors increased across all age/sex groups of the working-age population, with the highest rates of negative shifts registered among males aged 20-39 and females aged 15-29 (5,9 % and 3,1 %, respectively). Increase in mortality was due to causes associated with behavioral risk factors. These negative shifts were accounted for by a multiple increase in drug addiction mortality throughout the pandemic. During the pandemic, deaths associated with social factors decreased due to reduced road traffic mortality against increased mortality from accidental falls and drownings. Significance of individual-related causes was increasing with age with the maximum among older working-age population.