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The increase in death and disease under "katstroika"
Cambridge Journal of Economics
|August 1, 1994
Summary
The collapse of the Soviet Union led to a significant increase in mortality and morbidity rates in its successor states. Life expectancy, particularly for men in Russia, sharply declined post-1991 due to these adverse effects.
Area of Science:
- Demography
- Public Health
- Post-Soviet Studies
Background:
- The dissolution of the Soviet Union (USSR) in 1991 created new geopolitical entities.
- These successor states faced significant socioeconomic challenges following the collapse.
- Understanding the impact on population health is crucial for policy development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze mortality and morbidity trends in former Soviet Union successor states.
- To compare health outcomes during late perestroika (1987-1991) with post-Soviet trends.
- To assess the adverse effects of the USSR's collapse on population health.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of mortality and morbidity data from successor states.
- Comparative study of health indicators before and after 1991.
- Examination of demographic trends in Russia, Ukraine, Tadjikistan, and Armenia.
Main Results:
- A rapid and significant worsening of mortality trends observed across successor states post-1991.
- Russia experienced a 26% rise in crude death rate between 1991-1993.
- Male life expectancy in Russia fell by 6 years by 1993, dropping below medium-income country levels.
- Increased mortality was even more pronounced in states with military conflicts, such as Tadjikistan and Armenia.
Conclusions:
- The collapse of the USSR had severe adverse effects on population mortality and morbidity.
- Post-Soviet socioeconomic problems directly impacted public health indicators.
- Urgent public health interventions are needed in these transitional states.