ROLE OF SOCIOLOGY IN THE STUDY AND MAINTENANCE OF HEALTH AMONG RUSSIAN POPULATION

Abstract

The article explains sociological methods being used for health evaluation among Russian population. Together with medical, demographic and other official data make it possible fast and with minimum cost to obtain objective information about nations’ health and the factors affecting it. Major advantage of sociological methods being used to measure health, especially in comparison with traditional registration of sickness rate according to public appeals, is that larger data on sickness can be gathered. It is particulary relevant to those sicknesses for which people do not ask for medical assistance. It is an actual issue especially today when more people refuse medical assistance. Author pays attention to health research using health-centric model, which concentrates not on fighting disease but health strengthening and disease prevention. An idea is underlined that it is impossible to manage the problem of generally weak national health only with the help of medical community, joint actions of psychologists, sociologists, representatives of culture and education are needed to overcome dependent approach among people towards their health, as well as existing disparities between demand for being healthy and real efforts made to preserve and strengthen physical and psychological health. The paper touches the problem of the value of health, and the role of various institutions, especially the family, in the process of health and healthy lifestyle settings developments. Behavioral factors are also being studied which relate to maintenance and strengthening of health among Russia’s population, identify gender related specifics of health and healthy lifestyle. The paper paid much attention to the problems of interaction between family and health institutions, trust in doctors and the healthcare system as a whole, the reasons of public health care failures. The influence of education, wealth and living conditions, family composition on health self-concept and self-preservation behavior is analyzed. The empirical base of the study is comprised of the research provided by the Department of sociology of the family and demography at Lomonosov Moscow State University, Faculty of sociology, Institute of sociology and the Research center of FAP and CNS, as well as data from the Public opinion foundation, the National center for public opinion research and the World health organization which relate to the health of the Russian population. Current article will be useful for specialists and experts in sociology, medicine and health, sociology of family and demography and also for wider audience who are interested in the issues of health and healthy lifestyle. Results can be used by health system executives, social workers, representatives of regional and municipal administrations, professors and university students.