DESPITE CONCERNS ABOUT THEIR HEATLH, MOST RUSSIANS BELIEVE THAT LEADING A HEALTHY LIFESTYLE IS DIFFICULT, EXPENSIVE AND TIME-CONSUMING.

AIPM conducted a research devoted to the attitude of Russians to personal health

The Association of International Pharmaceutical Manufacturers (AIPM) supported by the International Federation of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers and Associations (IFPMA) conducted a survey entitled Population Attitude to Personal Health: Perception of Health, Understanding of Risk Factors, Morbidity and Mortality in Russia. The findings will be presented on the eve of the WHO Global Forum: Addressing the Challenge of Non-communicable Diseases (NCD) and the First Global Ministerial Conference on Healthy Lifestyles and Non-communicable Disease Control, which will be held in Moscow on April 27, 28 and 29, 2011, under the auspices of the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Russian Federation.

According to data obtained during the survey, most Russians are concerned about their health but they believe that a healthy lifestyle takes too much time (83%), is difficult to lead (60%) and expensive (64%). Sports and physical training are regarded by Russians as the major components of a healthy lifestyle. Much fewer respondents noted the importance of quitting smoking and following a healthy diet.

“We were keen to find out what are the key barriers to overcome in order to successfully combat mortality and disability among the population due to NCDs”, said Mr. Vladimir Shipkov, Executive Director, AIPM. -“Working together with the global pharmaceutical industry, we are committed to assisting in the search for solutions that improve  the quality of life  and life expectancy, and to develop modern approaches to prevention and control of non-communicable diseases”.

The main objective of the survey was to analyze the initiatives and programs that exist in different countries to fight against major risk factors and to identify the attitude and involvement of Russians towards taking care of their own health. It also aimed to determine the key areas where the state, non-for-profit organizations and the private sector could cooperate efficiently to reduce morbidity and mortality from NCDs in Russia. AIPM’s survey covered 29 regions in 7 federal districts of the Russian Federation. More than 20 Russian and international experts were involved in the project. The results reflect the situation not only in large Russian cities but also in the countryside. A total of 2,000 people took part in the survey.

WHO data indicates that chronic non-communicable diseases account for some 60% of total mortality worldwide. NCDs are not only the key reason for growing mortality and disabilities of the population but, at the same time, the main economic burden for healthcare systems, first of all, in high income and low income economies. More than 35 million people worldwide die of NCDs annually. The main chronic NCD’s are cardio-vascular diseases, cancers, chronic respiratory diseases and diabetes. These account for about 80% of deaths and 77% of total disease burden.