In recent years there have been alarming reports of rapid decreases in life expectancy in the New Independent States (former members of the Soviet Union). To help assess priorities for health policy, the Committee on Population organized two workshops—the first on adult mortality and disability, the second on adult health priorities and policies. Participants included demographers, epidemiologists, public health specialists, economists, and policymakers from the NIS countries, the United States, and Western Europe. This volume consists of selected papers presented at the workshops. They assess the reliability of data on mortality, morbidity, and disability; analyze regional patterns and trends in mortality rates and causes of death; review evidence about major determinants of adult mortality; and discuss implications for health policy.

Table of Contents


Front Matter
Premature Death in the New Independent States: Overview
Recent Trends in Life Expectancy and Causes of Death in Russia, 1970-1993
Spatial, Age, and Cause-of-Death Patterns of Mortality in Russia, 1988-1989
Issues of Data Quality in Assessing Mortality Trends and Levels in the New Independent States
Mortality in the New Independent States: Patterns and Impacts
Epidemiological Transitions in the Former Socialist Economies: Divergent Patterns of Mortality and Causes of Death
Soviet and Russian Statistics on Alcohol Consumption and Abuse
The Anti-Alcohol Campaign and Variations in Russian Mortality
Mortality from Tobacco in the New Independent States
Cigarette Smoking and Priorities for Tobacco Control in the New Independent States
Tobacco Control Policy Strategies: Lessons from Western Developed Countries
Nutritional Risk Factors in the Former Soviet Union
Chronic Disease Prevention in the New Independent States: Finnish Experiences
Diet Modification and Food Policy Strategies: What Works?
Appendix - Workshop Agendas
Index