[Epidemiological aspects of the present-day demographic situation in Russia]

Study of reference rate in healthcare institutions in 1991 - 2001 demonstrated a steady growth of general mortality and disease incidence among the population (by 22.7% and 8.1%, respectively). The number of patients with acute and chronic diseases registered in 2001 was by 16.4% higher than that in 1991. These trends were characteristic of all disease classes, but the most intensive growth was observed in such classes as diseases of blood and hemopoetic organs (2.5 times), endocrinal and urogenital diseases (1.8 times). Disease incidence and general mortality among children aged 0 to 14 had grown by 25% and 33.2%, among adolescents--by 60% and 71.1%, among adults--by 5.2% and 20.3%, respectively. These negative trends in population health were accompanied by a constant growth of incapacitation rate in 1990 - 2000 (2.4 times, and 4.3 times among children and adolescents younger than 18). There is a correlation between mortality and traditionally used demographic parameters, which suggests that mortality should be recognized the key demographic parameter. In order to achieve a satisfactory level of population health and adequate demographic transition, and to develop general sanatory strategy, the State should undertake powerful, goal-seeking, society-oriented measures, including deep clinical and epidemiological study of human pathology.