Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2000. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.

Reuters NewMedia - Monday November 6, 2000
Tara FitzGerald

Brundtland, a medical doctor and former Norwegian premier, also said there was a pressing need to take concerted action against alcohol and tobacco, which are the leading causes of death and reduced life expectancy in Russia.

She said the number of registered HIV infections had doubled each year for the past five years, reaching 60,000 this month.

"As well as intravenous drugs users, HIV has already reached sex workers and we know from experience with other countries that it will move into the general population if broad action is not taken," Brundtland told a news conference in Moscow.

She added that during her trip she had visited a Moscow prison, as Russia's prisons are the core of the country's "endemic" tuberculosis problem. WHO says 10% of the one million people behind bars in Russia at any one time are suffering from tuberculosis.

Russia's total population is around 145 million and falling.

Russian officials said last month that overall life expectancy in the country fell one year in 1999 to 65.5 years. Men lived an average of 59.8 years and women 72.

Tobacco, Alcohol, Drugs Major Killers

"Firm action to tackle issues of tobacco, alcohol and drug addiction will go a long way to stemming the decline in life expectancy and the general demographic development of Russia in the years to come," Brundtland said. In particular she pointed to the "alarming" rate of youth smoking. "It would be good for Russia to become one of the countries taking a major role in fighting smoking, especially with regard to young people," Brundtland said.

"If you would increase taxes on tobacco you could then increase spending on health and other issues. This (increased prices) is also known to reduce consumption, particularly among young people," she added. She said WHO's advice was to slap an 80% tax on tobacco to effectively reduce use. WHO's first World Health Report published this year gave Russia an overall ranking of 135th in the world. Brundtland said the country was particularly let down by the inequality of its healthcare financing and treatment.

"It is not well distributed between different population groups and so poor people are not well covered," she said.

"Building the primary healthcare system so that it reaches the whole population and even poor people have access to treatment and drugs is an important part of addressing these problems."

001106
RE001105

Always watch for outdated information. This article first appeared in 2000. This material is designed to support, not replace, the relationship that exists between you and your doctor.

AEGiS presents published material, reprinted with permission and neither endorses nor opposes any material. All information contained on this website, including information relating to health conditions, products, and treatments, is for informational purposes only. It is often presented in summary or aggregate form. It is not meant to be a substitute for the advice provided by your own physician or other medical professionals. Always discuss treatment options with a doctor who specializes in treating HIV.

Copyright ©1980, 2000. AEGiS. All materials appearing on AEGiS are protected by copyright as a collective work or compilation under U.S. copyright and other laws and are the property of AEGiS, or the party credited as the provider of the content. .