The Population Health of a Mining Region as a Factor Affecting the Social and Economic Development of the Area (A Case Study of Kemerovo Region)

Abstract

The most vital component of human, labour capital, the foundation of public welfare of a country and its regions is population health. Development of Russian regions without taking into account the health factor will be limited in its nature. The study examines the impact of the health indicators of Kemerovo Region’s population on the social and economic development of the region. We used data on morbidity and mortality by main categories of causes, indicators of gross regional product per capita, money income per capita and absolute poverty incidence in Kemerovo Region for 2003–2017. The impact of health indicators on key regional development indicators was studied on the basis of correlation and regression analysis. A statistically significant relationship has been established between the incidence of active tuberculosis, mortality from circulatory system diseases, deaths from external causes and indicators of the social and economic development of Kuzbass. The incidence of active tuberculosis, mortality from suicides and accidental alcohol poisoning has a significant negative impact on the gross regional product. Mortality from circulatory system diseases and accidental alcohol poisoning results in reduction in the level of nominal money incomes of the population. The increase in absolute poverty incidence is significantly affected by mortality from suicides, from accidental alcohol poisoning and all causes of external mortality in the aggregate. The research results can be recommended for use in the strategic planning of the development of the region.