CONSEQUENCES OF FORCED SOBRIETY IN THE LATE SOVIET PERIOD (1985-1991): STRUCTURAL CHANGES IN MORTALITY AND LIFE EXPECTANCY IN A REGIONAL CONTEXT
Yu.A. Grigoryev, O.I. Baran
Research Institute for Complex Problems of Hygiene and Occupational Diseases, 23, Kutuzov str., Novokuznetsk, 654041, Russia
Keywords: anti-alcohol campaign, late Soviet period, West Siberia, mortality, injuries and poisonings, diseases of the circulatory system, life expectancy, component analysis, elimination reserves of life expectancy
Abstract
The article discusses medical-demographic consequences of the anti-alcohol campaign of 1985-1991 in the regions of Western Siberia. Harmful effects of the excessive alcohol use are an important issue for a large part of humanity. A huge part of irretrievable losses from injuries (road traffic accidents, murders, suicides) is related to alcohol use. In addition, a significant part of somatic and mental pathology is caused by excessive alcohol consumption. Attempts to reduce the scale of drunkenness were made with different success in many countries. In Russia, anti-alcohol measures were carried out not only in the Soviet period, but also in the Russian Empire. The author used data from Russian State Statistics Committee: the form of Central Statistical Office N 5-a and N 5-b up to 1989, since 1989 it was C-51 form for all territories of Western Siberia, and summary data for the Russian Federation. The materials of the regional (provincial and municipal) Bureaus of Forensic Medical Examination were analyzed in some territories of Siberia. The dynamics of life expectancy was studied by a component method, which was also used to analyze its elimination reserves. The measures of forced sobriety in the late Soviet period (1985-1991) had very significant medical-demographic consequences. The population mortality rate decreased and the life expectancy increased. The rate growth by ¾ was associated with reducing mortality from injuries and poisonings, and by ¼ - from the circulatory system diseases. The positive changes were manifested more in men than in women, and, as a result, the sexual dimorphism of life expectancy decreased. These effects were short-lived. The article concluded that improved population’s cultural and educational level and people’s mentality changes are necessary for sustainable reduction of the alcohol’s harmful effects on the population health. Only on this basis, the level of alcohol use and the associated excessive human losses can decrease in the future.
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