State of health of children in Russia, priorities of its preservation and improving

Aim. Analysis of the main tendencies in the state of health of children in Russia in 2011-2016 and representation of priorities in its preservation.

Methods. The official statistical data characterizing the state of health of the children’s population aged 0-17 years were used: birth rate, population of this age, physical development, incidence, disability, mortality.

Results. In general, positive tendencies in the state of health of children and teenagers are observed. The high ratio of children with normal level of physical development was noted. According to routine medical examinations, more than one third of the examined children are healthy. Growth of the general and primary incidence among children of all age groups has stopped. The incidence of socially important diseases (tuberculosis, syphilis, gonococcal infection, alcoholism, drug addiction and inhalant abuse) among children and teenagers is reducing, level of newly diagnosed human immunodeficiency virus infection has stabilized. Mortality from the majority of main causes among children of all age groups, especially during the first year of life, has significantly decreased. However, the level of primary and general disability of children aged 0-17 years remains stable.

Conclusion. The current priorities of children’s health care are health problems of teenagers, children’s disability, implementation of preventive medical care for children in primary care setting, improvement of medical rehabilitation, optimization of the system of medical social care to children’s population.