Socioeconomic inequalities in health in the post-Soviet Russia

Abstract

Individual characteristics and socioeconomic position (SEP) are important determinants of health differences. We (1) examine the association of demography and SEP, with perceived health of the Russian population, and (2) quantify the magnitude of health inequalities ascribed to SEP in the Russian Federation. We apply a random effect Generalized Least Squares model on the datasets of the Russian Longitudinal Monitoring Survey (RLMS: 1994–2013). Our measure of health inequality is concentration index (CI), which we decompose into the determinants of health inequalities. Further, a balanced sample of 1,496 individuals extracted from the 1994 wave of RLMS is followed over 19-year period. The degree of aversion to inequalities in perceived health between the worseoff and the better-off is measured with achievement index. Being employed matters in perceiving a better health. Although the perceived health differences between the better-off and the worse-off are reduced, health inequality index indicates a change for better health for the better-off Russians.