Authors
Danishevskiy K.
MD, Higher School of Economics, professor
Abstract
Birth rates, maternal and child mortality are often viewed as means of improving demographic situation and economic potential of a country. However in Russian case this is unlikely to be the case. Birth rates fluctuation seen in the last 25 years are the result of a series of social and political changes, while the measures to increase fertility do not seem to have significant effect. Maternal mortality is very low and doe not exceed 300 cases per annum. Perinatal mortality constituting 2/3 of all child deaths is not much higher than in the developed world. Abortions rates remain relatively high, however this indicator is also improving. While investment in maternal and child health are needed to bring health of these groups to the developed countries level, this will not change demographic situation needed to drive modernized economy.
Key words
reproductive health, birthrate, Russia, perinatal mortality, maternal mortality, demographic situation, abortions
