RESUMO
The authors of the article analyze the current health status of Russian population and underline the necessity to set priorities in the development of the country's public health system. Within a short period of time the mortality in this country has risen 1.5 times, and the birth rate have declined twice. By January 1, 2005, the population of Russian Federation had decreased by 10,361,300 people, as a result of natural depopulation. Mostly affected by the crisis is able-bodied population, the mortality among who have increased 2.5 times. The gap in the mortality between ours and other economically developed countries is now sevenfold. This means that six out of seven cases of death at the productive age in this country are absolutely preventable. The mortality among pensioners has not changed at all, i.e. people at this age seem to be reliably protected against the crisis. The birth rate has decreased abruptly; its summary coefficient has fallen down to 1.17 while 2.15 are necessary for simple reproduction. The proportion of out-of-wedlock children, as well as that of disabled children, displays a multiple increase. Male population in Russia demonstrates a catastrophic super mortality, the gap between the length of life among men and women being 13.5 years. In a number of regions men do not reach the age of 54.
