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Causes of declining life expectancy in Russia
F C Notzon1, Y M Komarov, S P Ermakov
1National Center for Health Statistics, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, US Department of Health and Human Services, Hyattsville, Md 20782, USA. fcn2@cdc.gov
JAMA
|March 21, 1998
Summary
Russian life expectancy sharply declined in the 1990s due to increased cardiovascular diseases and injuries, particularly in working-age adults. This study quantifies the impact of these causes on the dramatic drop in life expectancy.
Area of Science:
- Demography
- Public Health
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Russian life expectancy experienced a significant decline in the 1990s.
- The specific impact of major causes of death on this decline was not previously quantified.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the contribution of selected causes of death to the decline in life expectancy in Russia.
- To analyze trends following the breakup of the Soviet Union.
Main Methods:
- Utilized mortality and natality data from Russia's vital statistics system (1990-1994).
- Applied standard life-table methods and a partitioning method to determine contributions of causes of death and age groups.
- Included comparative data from the United States.
Main Results:
- Age-adjusted mortality in Russia increased by nearly 33% from 1990 to 1994.
- Life expectancy for Russian men and women decreased by approximately 6 and 3 years, respectively.
- Cardiovascular diseases and injuries were responsible for 65% of the decline in life expectancy, predominantly affecting adults aged 25-64.
Conclusions:
- The rapid decline in Russian life expectancy is unprecedented for peacetime industrialized nations.
- Multiple factors, including socioeconomic instability and lifestyle choices, likely contributed to the mortality rise.
- The study highlights the potential for rapid, significant public health deterioration.