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Russia holds health crisis talks Russia tackles mortality 'crisis'
(about 2 hours later)
The Russian government is meeting to discuss ways of tackling the problem of falling life expectancy among Russian men in particular. The Russian government is discussing how to tackle the problem of falling life expectancy, especially among men.
Ministers are expected to approve a five-fold increase in funding for treatment of diseases such as tuberculosis, diabetes and Aids.Ministers are expected to approve a five-fold increase in funding for treatment of diseases such as tuberculosis, diabetes and Aids.
The Russian health ministry says average life expectancy for Russian men is less than 60 years. The health ministry says average life expectancy for Russian men is less than 60 years - about 15 years lower than in most other industrialised countries.
That is about 15 years lower than in most other industrialised countries.
Life expectancy for Russian women is about 72.Life expectancy for Russian women is about 72.
Heavy consumption of alcohol and tobacco are among the causes of Russia's male health crisis. Diseases, murders, suicides and intravenous drug abuse - the rates of which in Russia are also among the highest in the world - have contributed to what many experts consider to be a health catastrophe, the BBC's Russian affairs analyst Steven Eke says.
Life expectancy for a Russian man is 15 to 20 years lower than in Japan, the United States or the richest European countries.
While a Russian woman lives, on average, seven to 13 years longer than a Russian man, her life expectancy is also poor by international comparison.
The demographic crisis is an extremely sensitive matter politically.
Leading medical specialists accuse the authorities of chronic inaction, even of being in denial about the extent of the crisis, our analyst says.
They point out that much of Russia's health crisis is the result of unhealthy life-styles, especially very high rates of smoking and alcohol abuse.
Yet there is still no concerted effort to persuade, or force, people to adopt healthier ways, our analyst adds.
There are also environmental issues - last year, a survey by an American research centre said that half of the world's most polluted places were in the former Soviet Union.There are also environmental issues - last year, a survey by an American research centre said that half of the world's most polluted places were in the former Soviet Union.