EEF 2022 Addresses Strengthening Family Health and Improving Demographic Situation in Russia

Participants in the panel discussion ‘Improving Family Health – A Strategic Factor in Demographic Growth: Best Practices of the Macro-region’, which the Roscongress Foundation’s Healthy Life project organized at the Eastern Economic Forum 2022 (EEF), discussed issues concerning the preservation of children’s health and family health, the implementation of the Reproductive Health federal project, and ways to improve the demographic situation in Russia. The session was part of the programme of the conference ‘Creating a Healthy Society in the Far East and Arctic’, which is taking place as part of the plan of events of Russia’s chairmanship of the Arctic Council in 2021–2023.

Russia’s national goal ‘Preservation of the Population and People’s Health and Well-being’ aims to ensure sustainable population growth in 2030. The strategies for this task prioritize altering the existing demographic trends by increasing the birth rate, decreasing the mortality rate among working age people, changing the healthcare system from a curative to a preventive model, preventing risk factors, and detecting diseases early.

“One of the state’s main tasks is to increase the birth rate as well as preserve and strengthen the health of the population, which is categorically impossible without transitioning the state’s policy from situational relief of individual reproductive losses to a strategic family-oriented policy and a policy to support the nation’s reproductive health. A strong economy and administrative efforts are needed to change the demographic situation, but most importantly, it is essential to work with people on a personal level, with their attitudes and values, and create serious motivation to take care of personal health and the health of family and children,” said Oleg Apolikhin, Member of the Russian Public Chamber, Director of the Lopatkin Research Institute of Urology and Interventional Radiology, and a Corresponding Member of the Russian Academy of Sciences. 

The discussion was moderated by Apolikhin. The session participants includes: Deputy Chairman of the Government of the Khabarovsk Territory for Social Issues Yevgeny Nikonov; Commissioner for Children’s Rights in the Republic of Tatarstan Irina Volynets; Deputy Director and Head of the Department for Scientific Activities of the Kulakov National Medical Research Centre for Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Perinatology of the Russian Ministry of Health Natalya Dolgushina;  Member of the Noorderboog Supervisory Board, EBRD Senior Advisor, and International Health Expert Mark Sluter; and Director of the Centre for Crisis Psychology at the Patriarchal Metochion of the Church of the Resurrection of Christ on Semenovskaya Mikhail Khasminsky.

Developing human capital and improving people’s welfare and quality of life, including improving the healthcare system and medical infrastructure in the Arctic, are among the main priorities of Russia’s chairmanship of the Arctic Council in 2021–2023. The Roscongress Foundation is organizing the events of Russia’s chairmanship.